SKF South Africa has awarded mechanic artisan certificates to the first group of 20 artisans who have successfully passed the Lubrication Equipment Qualification.
SKF South Africa is a QCTO (Quality Council of Trades and Occupation) approved Skills Development Provider and Trade Test Centre with the ability to conduct specialised mechanical engineering training, apprenticeship training, ARPL assessments and trade testing for mechanical fitter and lubrication equipment mechanic trade qualifications.
Nationally recognised by the QCTO, this new occupational qualification places the qualified artisans in the advantageous position of being able to articulate into the occupations of lubrication analyst and condition monitoring. Additionally, they may also enrol for machine lubricant analyst and machinery lubrication technician courses provided by the International Council of Machinery Lubrication (ICML).
Human resource professional, Michael Mogagabe, also points out that employees with experience in the lubrication field now have a nationally registered portable qualification related to their field. “Moreover, they will be able to learn further, articulate into other registered qualifications and, in so doing, we would have achieved the objective of life-long learning.” The development of the artisanal qualification, which is open to South African and non-South African citizens, was prompted by the fact that a South African registered qualification related to the automated lubrication field did not exist. Although there are advanced practices in various countries, there is no qualification comparable to this one, making the Lubrication Equipment Mechanic Qualification a world first!
All big machinery and equipment imported into South Africa by sectors such as mining, printing, food & beverage, agriculture, steel, wind turbine, cement and transport are equipped with a standard automated lubrication system. “It is the responsibility of the qualified lubrication equipment mechanic artisan to repair, maintain, install and commission these lubrication systems. “The fact that this first-of-its-kind artisan qualification gives recognition to this essential industry in terms of lubrication system repairs and maintenance now being a recognised skill and competence, is indeed a milestone achievement,” says Mogagabe.
The two-day trade test is conducted at SKF’s Test Centre in Jet Park, Johannesburg, which has the capacity to offer pre-assessments and training facilitation for twelve candidates at any given time. Comprising over 400 sqm of both practical and theoretical areas, the centre is fully equipped with all lubrication systems training panels fitted with lubrication equipment, specialised lubrication tools, an electrical testing training panel, work benches, drilling and grinding machinery as well as hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic lubrication equipment and pumps.
The curriculum of the two-day trade test contains the following key content: Hand skills, lubrication theory, lubrication systems repair, maintenance, installation and commission, lubrication equipment repair, maintenance, installation and commissioning. Single-line, two-line, progressive and spray oil/grease lubrication systems as well as oil circulation systems are applied in the course.
“We are also offering Artisan Recognition of Previous Learning (ARPL) pre-assessment and training continuously throughout the year to enable people with experience in the lubrication field to have a qualification,” continues Mogagabe. Successful candidates who need in-depth specialised knowledge and skills can also take a refresher course in Lubrication Equipment and Systems specialised training. The training sessions are tailored to meet each person’s needs and Mogagabe invites anyone to enquire.
