What is an Artisan

Is a skilled, usually formally trained and tested individual who works with their hands.Artisans are trained through a 4 year apprenticeship programme offered by companies which are accredited as Experential Training Workplaces. An apprentice must successfully complete theoretical training, practical training in the workplace under the guidance of a mentor and pass phase test. After successfully completing the above, the apprentice will sit for their final Trade Test and qualify as an artisan.

Pathways to becoming an Artisan

In order for one to become an Artisan there are several pathways in which they can choose from and gain all the necessary knowledge and experience required. Below we have listed all the possible pathways that one can choose from:

Attend a TVET College

TVET is an abbreviation for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. TVET Colleges offer qualifications such as the National Certificate (Vocational) and Nated (Technical) National Certificate courses that are linked to artisan trades. The duration of a course is dependent on the programme you register for. It can be anything from a semester to 3 years.

Apply to be part of a Learnership

Learnerships are work-based learning programmes that eventually lead to a nationally recognised qualification.

Learnerships are open to those who have left school, students from colleges and other training institutions. Learnerships are open to the unemployed. It offers them the opportunity to gain a qualification and work experience at the same time. Individuals entering into a Learnership programme must be between the ages of 16 and 35 years old.

Become an Apprentice

A learning programme in respect of an officially listed trade, which includes a trade-test in respect of that trade. During this process an Apprentice would work under the guidance and supervision of a qualified artisan.

The candidate needs to have a minimum qualification of Grade 9 or N2 Certificate in the specific Trade they want to pursue a career in. Their training will include a combination of theory and on the job training. The duration of an Apprenticeship varies from 18 to 36 months. Once a candidate has gathered enough on the job training combined with theoretical knowledge, they then gain access to do a Trade Test.

Apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

"Recognition of Prior Learning" is a process whereby people’s prior learning can be formally recognized in terms of registered qualifications and unit standards, regardless of where and how the learning was attained. RPL acknowledges that people never stop learning, whether it takes place formally at an educational institution, or whether it happens informally.

The minimum requirements needed are one to become an Artisan through the ARPL process are as follows:

• The minimum age that one should be is 19 years or older,
• You also need to have work in the specific trade for a minimum of 36 months
• There are no specific educational requirements needed, but candidates who have any form of educational background should produce such.