ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME

The National Certificate (Vocational) offers students a vocational alternative to an academic Grade 10-12 by offering specialised training on NQF Levels 2-4.

The National Certificate (Vocational) for Fitting & Turning comprises four engineering subjects including practical assessments in the Fitting & Turning workshop. Fitters & Turners are highly skilled artisans who manufacture and construct components for machinery and use tools such as lathes, milling and drilling machines.

Minimum Admission requirements

Grade 9 Certificate or NQF Level 1 equivalent (40% pass in Mathematics and 50% in English).

CAREER opportunities

• Qualified Red Seal Fitter & Turner
• Mechanical Fitter
• Millwright
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer and Government Certificate of Competency (GCC)
• Drawing Office Designer

Duration

The NC(V) is a 3-year, full-time qualification with a certificate at NQF Level 4.

Course content

Vocational Subjects

WHAT DO THESE SUBJECTS ENTAIL?

English First Additional Language

English language skills and content will be refined: Listening and Speaking, Reading and Viewing, Writing and Presenting, Language and Communication in Practice.

Life Skills & Computer Skills

Life Skills is the study of the self in relation to others and to society. This subject addresses knowledge, values, attitudes and skills about the self, the environment, responsible citizenship, a healthy and productive life, social engagement, recreation and physical activity, and career choices. Computer skills are abilities and knowledge which allow you to use computers and related technology such as word processing software, access the Internet, manage files, or create presentations.

Mathematics

This subject empowers students to solve problems creatively and critically using numbers, functions and algebra, data handling, space, shape and measurement and finance.

Engineering Fundamentals (Level 2)

This subject covers a broad range of aspects around work safety in the engineering field. It also teaches students about the greater occupational areas and structures within the South African engineering and related design industry.

Engineering Technology (Level 2)

This subject covers details such as engineering hand and power tools and the use thereof. It also deals with measurement.

Engineering Systems (Level 2)

This subject teaches you the basic principles of hydraulics, pneumatics, automatic control systems and drivetrains.

Engineering Practice and Maintenance (Level 3)

This subject deals with solutions for design problems and conflict and also with ethics in the workplace. Students are to design, develop and evaluate a prototype for a given engineering problem. Topics include fault-finding and plant maintenance.

Materials Technology (Level 3)

This subject explains ferrous metals, their composition and characteristics; Describes various processes of manufacturing steel; Identifies the differences in ferrous metal processing; Demonstrates knowledge of heat treatment and evaluating properties of materials through testing.

Engineering Graphics and Design (CAD) (Level 3)

This drawing and design subject provides students with the necessary skills for using and creating drawing language, freehand, isometric, orthographic projection and computer drawings. Handling of CAD programmes in various aspects is also covered.

Engineering Processes
(Level 4)

Students learn how to carry out a service and record the results. They learn about component dismantling and assembling, how to operate engineering machines and carry out machining processes. They also learn about computer-aided machine (CAM) and equipment and how to identify different joining systems and to select appropriate joining methods.

Professional Engineering Practice (Levels 4)

Students will learn how to identify ethical engineering workplace responsibilities, the function, philosophy and process of engineering design. They will also learn how to interpret sketches, graphs and drawings of engineering structures and mechanisms and to identify and explain different computer hardware devices and their functions in the engineering field.

Applied Engineering Technology (Level 4)

This programme explains the principles of mechanical engineering, i.e. to design and construct a prototype, solve a given design problem and construct a control system to solve a given design problem.

Fitting and Machining
(Levels 2-4)

This subject teaches students how to operate and monitor drilling machines, milling machines, surface grinding machines and lathes. It also includes welding/joining of metals, heat exchangers and maintenance.