Apprentice Department

ACCREDITATION
We are accredited with the:

• Aerospace Chamber within the… Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)
• Local Training authorities
• South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
• Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta (MERSETA)
• Energy Sector Education and Training Authority (ESETA)

TRAINING METHODOLOGY
Currently we train according to the CBMT model (Competency Based Modular Training). In the near future we will be training according to the NQF model (National Qualification Framework) which is outcomes based and will lead to Learnership qualifications.

1.  AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
A diverse and appealing occupation carrying a high degree of responsibility, the aircraft mechanic is required to have a broad and thorough understanding of an aircraft and all its integrated systems. Their function is to perform preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure the safe operation of an aeroplane which includes repair, adjustments, testing and ultimately to certify it for flight.

2.  AIRCRAFT STRUCTURAL WORKER
Commonly referred to as sheet metal workers, these people are responsible for the manufacture and repair of the physical airframe of an aircraft.  Primarily, their work is devoted to the repair of damage caused by incidents, fatigue and corrosion to restore the integral strength of the airframe.

3.  FITTER & TURNER
These are multi-skilled maintenance fitters that keep "the wheels of industry' running smoothly.  They are capable in most machining processes including, turning, milling, grinding and welding which make them virtually self-reliant in their trade and an asset to any company.  They too are often involved in the development and fitting of new production processes.

4.  TURNER & MACHINIST
These are specialist machine artisans that are highly skilled on either one or a variety of machines such as lathes, milling machines, surface and universal grinders and drilling / boring machines.  Their task is to accurately produce or repair parts, which can also include the highly specialised field of gear cutting / grinding, in accordance to the client's drawings and specifications.

5.  TOOLMAKER & JIG MAKER
The toolmaker and jig maker is a craftsperson with the ingenuity to produce specialized jigs, fixtures and tooling to assist industries to produce their products consistently and accurately and with minimal waste.  These people are skilled in the use of hand tools as well as grinding, turning milling and drilling machines.

6.  AIRCRAFT RADIOTRICIAN
The radiotrician is responsible for all the radio telemetry equipment onboard an aircraft which include navigation and communication.  It is a very challenging career in view of the many new developments happening in the field and is appealing to anyone who has a keen interest in electronics.  Other facets of their trade include the installation, repair and adjustment of their equipment on the aircraft.

7.  AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT MECHANIC
This is a highly specialised field that integrates the rare combination of both, electronic and fine mechanical skills, in one trade.  An Aircraft Instrument Mechanic is responsible for all the onboard instruments used to maintain flight safety and include the 'auto pilot'.  Due to the compact nature of the instruments, candidates are required to have excellent fine motor dexterity.

8.  AIRCRAFT ELECTRICIAN
Aircraft Electricians are responsible for the delivery and integration of electrical power between the various units or components of an aircraft.  Included in their responsibilities are the diagnostics, maintenance, repair and installation of electrical components which include generation systems and batteries.

9.  AIRCRAFT AVIONICIAN
The Aircraft Avionician incorporates all three of the existing aircraft avionic-related trades, namely: Aircraft Electrician, Aircraft Radiotrician and Aircraft Instrument Mechanic.  It is restricted to first-line maintenance, which includes installations, minor maintenance, and repairs of the equipment, that the above mentioned trades people work on.

10.  ELECTRICIAN
Electricians are responsible for the installation and maintenance of the electrical network that powers all the machinery and outlets in the factory and household.  They too need to ensure that such installations are always safe for the user and also comply with all the stringent regulations as prescribed by law.  The electrician's work range will include both single and three phase electrical systems and light to heavy duty current.

11.  MACHINE TOOL MILLWRIGHT
This trade was specifically introduced to cater for people interested in the maintenance and repair of machinery it covers a broad spectrum integrating the combination of both mechanical fitting and electrical / electronic skills which include electrical installations, electronic controllers and microprocessors such as those found in Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) machines.

12.  WELDER
Highly skilled welders are increasingly in demand due to modern advancements in production processes and materials.  They need to be proficient in a wide variety of welding techniques and capable of continually producing high quality welds in often difficult conditions.  Qualified welders can look forward to a variety of interesting opportunities in a wide range of industries.

PRE-REQUISITES
Conditions for your acceptance at the Denel Centre for Learning and Development are:

• You meeting all the acceptance criteria for the specific trade as stipulated,
• A satisfactory outcome of an interview and psychometric, literacy and numeric tests,
• Availability of openings for the specific trade,
• You signing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) on acceptance.

Grade 10 (N1) with Mathematics and Science for the following trades:

• Aircraft Mechanic
• Aircraft Structures Worker
• Fitter and Turner
• Turner and Machinist
• Toolmaker
• Welder

Grade 11 (N2) with Mathematics and Science for the following trades:

• Aircraft Radiotrician
• Aircraft Instrument Mechanic
• Aircraft Electrician
• Aircraft Avionician
• Electrician
• Machine Tool Millwright

APPRENTICESHIP / TRAINING PERIOD:
These courses are a prerequisite to any Apprenticeship for the specific trade. The maximum duration of an apprenticeship contract for any trade is 208 weeks. After a prescribed minimum period of 95 weeks, and suitable evidence of the required training, the Apprentice will meet all the requirements to perform a trade test that, if successful, will qualify them as an artisan.

Trainees not entering into an apprenticeship contract can also benefit from these accredited courses, as it reduces their minimum training period to 18 months and, subject to the approval of their training records, they too will qualify to write their trade test.

TRAINING HOURS:
All students will be committed to a 5–day (40 hours) training week which will span over an approximate 10 month period in accordance with our service level agreement.