Trade – is an occupation/skill for which an artisan qualification is registered in accordance with the Manpower Training and Skills Development Act
Artisan – is a person that has been certified as competent to perform a listed trade in accordance with the Manpower Training and Skills Development.
The artisan qualification consists of both theoretical and practical training. The theoretical knowledge is usually gained at technical colleges or technical schools or accredited private provider. To obtain the necessary practical experience, you need to find an employer that is willing to sign an apprenticeship contract with you and enable you to gain the necessary experience.
You will need to work with a qualified Artisan – also known as a “Mentor, Coach, Instructor, Tradesman, Technician and Engineer”.
Apprenticeships for major trades have traditionally been for a period of three to four years. However, you may sit for a trade test and obtain this qualification in less than three or four years period or alternatively, you may serve the full training period.
As we currently have a major shortage of artisans, a number of alternative routes to trade qualification have been developed as follows:
Apprenticeship route
Learnership route
RPL/Section 28 route
Internship and Skills Programme route
An apprenticeship is usually longer than a learnership – but both lead to a work-based qualification.
Goals and Objectives
Accredit trades and artisan training centres
Accredit trades and artisan trade test centres
Workplace approval for employers implementing trades
Register, administer and promote Apprenticeships
Register contract of apprenticeships
Facilitate trades certification and record completions
Monitoring and evaluation of employers training and trade test centre
Trades and Artisan Training Documents
List of PSETA
Government Trades
Apprenticeship Procedure
Contract of Apprenticeship
RPL/Section 28 Registration Forms
Contract of
Apprenticeship Registration Process Flow
RPL/Section 28 Registration Process Flow
Final Trade Test Application Process Flow
Application Form for Final Trade Test
Trades Accreditation Guidelines
Trades Accreditation Application Forms
Trade Assessor and Moderator Registration Criteria
List of Accredited Trade Training Centres
List of Accredited Trade Testing Centres
Artisan Training Regulations