Denel Apprenticeships Accredited by SACAA, TETA, MerSETA

About Denel

Denel (Pty) Limited is the largest manufacturer of defence equipment in South Africa. It operates in the military aerospace and landward defence environment. Incorporated as a private company in 1922 in terms of the South African Companies Act (No. 62 of 1973), Denel’s sole shareholder is the South African Government.

The company is an important defence contractor to its domestic market and a key supplier to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), both as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and for the overhaul, maintenance, repair, refurbishment and upgrade of equipment in the SANDF’s arsenal.

Denel is made up of a number of business divisions including Denel Technical Academy, Denel Aerostructures, Denel Aviation, Denel Dynamics, Denel Maritime, Denel Vehicle Systems, Denel Land Systems, Denel Industrial Properties, Denel SOC Ltd, Denel PMP, Denel Mechem and Denel Overberg Test Range.

Denel Apprenticeships

The Denel Technical Academy provides accredited, cost effective and efficient training of technical personnel for the aerospace, engineering and defence industries according to the needs and requirements of its customers, in well-equipped nationally and internationally accredited facility. Denel Technical Academy has a large footprint on the African continent and is recognised worldwide. The academy mostly values performance, integrity, innovation, caring and responsibility. With more than 40 years of experience, the Denel Technical Academy has a well-established track record in Apprentice Training. The Academy consists of Aviation and Engineering apprenticeship training institute that offers various technical trades.

An Apprenticeship is a non-unit standard based registered qualification and comprises of an integration of workplace and institutional learning and culminates in a national qualification. During the programme, students will be taught on the skills and practices that are associated with a given career path in the Aviation Industry. They will be trained all aspects of a specific Trade under the auspices of Denel Aviation and the Denel Technical Academy, until they are competent enough to do a Trade Test to become a Qualified Artisan and function effectively within the local and international Aviation environment.

The courses provided are approved and accredited by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA) and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Training Authority (merSETA) to offer training in accordance with the Competency-Based Modular Training system. These approvals ensure that apprentices are adequately trained, both practically and theoretically, to allow them to continue with workplace training to qualify as artisans.

Courses are available to private students and those sponsored by partnering organisations. Advanced and Type Training is also available for people already employed in the industry and want to enhance knowledge and skills. As the outcome, the academy will add value to the students – making them competent enough to contribute to the socio-economic development imperatives of the country.

The apprenticeship for all trades takes at least 95 weeks up to 208 weeks of duration. However after the minimum period (subject to tasks completed as laid down), an apprentice may perform a trade test and qualify as an artisan.

• Engineering Training
• Electrician

Electricians are responsible for the maintenance of industrial and domestic electrical networks. They 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 scope of work will include both single ad thee phase electrical systems, from light to heavy duty current.

• Fitter and Turner

Maintenance fitters are multi-skilled and keep the wheels of industry running smoothly. They are capacitated in most machining processes including turning, milling, grinding and welding which make them virtually self-reliant in their trade and as asset to any company. They are also often involved in to development and fitting of new production processors.

• Millwright

The millwright trade caters for those interested in maintenance and repair of heavy machinery used in the industry. They perform maintenance work in production machines, electrically driven machines and electronic control gear. The work is mechanical, electrical and with modern developments towards automation / robotics. This trade also requires knowledge of electronics as applied to the control of heavy electrically driven equipment. The trade involves dismantling, fault detection, repairing and manufacturing of parts in some cases, mechanical and electrical installations as well as the modification and reconstruction of machinery.

• Tool and Jig Maker

The maker of tools and jigs is an artisan wit the ingenuity to produce specialised jigs, fixtures and tooling to assist industries to produce their products consistently and accurately and with minimal waste. These artisans are skilled in the use of hand tools as well as grinding, turning, milling and drilling machines.

• Turner and Machinist

These are specialist machine artisans that are highly skilled on ither 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.

• Welder

Highly skilled welders ae increasingly in demand due to modern advancements in production processes and materials. They need to be proficient in a wide variety of 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.

• Aviation Training
• Aircraft Avionician

The aircraft avionician training incorporates all three existing aircraft avionic-related trades – aircraft electrician, aircraft radiotrician and aircraft instrument mechanic. Trainees are exposed to all three avionic trade fundamentals, and on qualification they are ready for first line and minor maintenance installations and repairs of the modern day avionic aircraft critical for quick turn-around in aviation.

• Aircraft Electrician

Aircraft electricians are responsible for the delivery and integration of electrical power between the various units of components of an aircraft. Their key responsibilities are in the diagnostics, maintenance, repair and installation of electrical components which include generation systems and batteries.

• 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 on-board instruments used to maintain flight safety including the auto-pilot. Due to the compact nature of the instruments, candidates are required to have excellent fine-motor dexterity.

• Aircraft Radiotrician

The radiotrician holds responsibilities in all radio communication equipment on-board 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 will appeal to anyone who has a keen interest in electronics. Other facets of the trade include the installation, repair and adjustment of the equipment on an aircraft.

• 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 integrated systems. Their function is to perform preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure the safe operation of an aeroplane which includes repairs, adjustments, testing and ultimately to certify it for flight.

• Aircraft Structural Worker

Commonly referred to as sheet metal workers, these artisans holds responsibilities in the manufacture and repair of the physical airframe of an aircraft. Their work is primarily focused on the damage caused by incidents fatigue or corrosion to restore the integral strength of the airframe.

Requirements for Denel Apprenticeships

The minimum entrance qualifications are Grade 10 (N1) with Mathematics and Science, and proficiency in English for the following trades.

• Aircraft Mechanic
• Aircraft Structures Worker
• Fitter and Turner
• Turner and Machinist
• Tool and Jig Maker
• Welder

Those who possess Grade 11 (N2), or equivalent, with Mathematics and Science, and are conversant in English may apply for the following trades.

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

Other prerequisites that apply to all trades are:

• Aged between 18 and 24
• A citizen of South Africa
• Hold a valid personal identity document
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to work individually and in teams
• Able to multi-task and have good communication skills
• Computer literate
• Currently unemployed and not attending any form of training programme

How to Apply for Denel Apprenticeships

Individuals who are interested to take part in the Denel Apprenticeship programme may apply online at www.deneltechnicalacademy.co.za > Courses and Training.

Applications will then be assessed by the relevant head of department to check whether the requirements are met or not. All approved applicants will receive an invitation for an interview and assessment.

Note: Denel Technical Academy does not offer nor guarantee financial assistance. Students will be responsible for all costs. Fee structures will be discussed upon acceptance.

For more information, contact Denel Technical Academy.

Tel.: (011) 927 2811 / 2361

E-mail: info@deneltraining.com

Website: www.deneltraining.com or www.deneltechnicalacademy.co.za