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Volume3 , Issue 3

MARCH 2015

Inside this issue:

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TRADES IN NAMIBIA

1

BOILER MAKER 2

FITTER / TURNER 3

SHEET METAL WORKER 4

WELDER AND FABRICATOR 5

INSTITUTIONS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

6 7

Dear Students

Education is one thing that really sets the life of a student as far as his/her

career is concerned. There is a lot that depends on education and that is, why

it is very important that students are guided while selecting the course they

want to study so that they select the right course to build their careers.

This week we continue with our 3rd edition of Trades in Namibia. If you like to

dismantle and fit equipment or like to manufacture objects from sheet metal

than a career in the mechanical trades could be ideal for you! Learn more on

how to follow these trades and where to study.

– Martina

______________________________________________________________

The Windhoek and Regional Vocational Training Centres are responsible for providing Namibia's labour force with various artisan skills. These technical colleges prepare skilled artisans through a programme that provides a sound foundation in theory combined with experience in the working environment . Persons, who wish to improve their knowledge and technical skills, can enroll for skills training and upgrading courses at these institutions. Training programmes consists of apprenticeships, basic and advanced skills upgrading and bridging courses.

The following trades, which are divided into four categories, are offered by

Vocational Training Centres throughout the country:

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TRADES

Boilermaker

Fitter (fitter-machinery ) / Turner (turner machinist)

Sheet Metal Worker

Welder and Fabricator

BOILERMAKER

Page 2 Career Focus

A boilermaker manufactures, constructs and repairs structures of steel boilers, tanks and vats like pressure vessels for

power-stations, petrochemical plants, mine headgears, bridges and oil-drilling platforms.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Selecting and preparing all the material which goes into the construction of a boiler. Marking the material according to other drawings and specifications. Cutting plates and material to the correct dimension, desired size and shaping, by using power shears and flame-cutting equipment. Straightening, bending, rolling and shaping the material to the required angles and curves, by using a power-press. Assembling parts by bolting, riveting or welding. Caulking seams and riveting heads. Chipping burrs from plate edges Fixing tubes, valves, taps and other fittings into position. Pattern development of sheet metals.

REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING

Secondary Education Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however recom-mended. The candidate must be at least 16 years old.

Compulsory Subjects Mathematics, Physical Science and English

Tertiary Education

Training is provided via any of the three described routes at a Vocational Training Centre, namely: the apprenticeship opportunity, the co-operative opportunity or the vocational trainee opportunity. NIMT also offers training courses in boilermaking. Personality Accuracy, a mechanical aptitude, physical strength, the ability to interpret drawings and a mathematical background, are essential qualities that a boilermaker should have.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Boilermakers are employed by metal and related industries such as mines. Job prospects are favourable.

Page 3 Career Focus

A fitter/turner is responsible for dismantling and fitting together of component parts. He/she will, for example, take a gearbox apart and inspect the gears for possible mistakes and damage. The damaged parts will then be repaired and the gearbox will again be fitted together. Fitters/Turners use available machine, e.g. drills, grinders, lathe, shaping and milling machine to manufacture engine parts and mechanical products, fit these parts to machinery and make necessary adjustments.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Examining and testing machinery and equipment for faults. Dismantling equipment completely and partly to remove damaged and worn-out parts. Studying drawings and instructions for necessary detail to determine vital functions and measurements. Brazing and welding joints, tempering and hardening metal parts and providing the necessary finish to manufac-tured items. Checking, lubricating and maintaining machinery and other related equipment on a continuous basis and according to maintenance schemes. Producing turning and milling parts for machinery, according to limited tolerance. Repairing turning and milling parts for machinery, according to the manufacturer's specifications. Maintenance, repair and preventative service on all mechanical equipment.

REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING

Secondary Education

Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however, recom-

mended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age.

Compulsory Subjects

Mathematics, Physical Science

Tertiary Education

Training is provided via any of the following described-routes at a Vocational Training Centre, namely: the appren-

ticeship opportunity, the co-operative opportunity or the vocational trainee opportunity to obtain apprenticeships

or red seal diploma. NIMT offers training in fitting and turning.

Personality

Fitters/Turners should be mechanically minded, accurate, patient, have good manual dexterity and use judgment

to work with the different tools

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Fitters/Turners are employed by engineering firms, garages, factories, etc. Self-employment is a viable option if

sufficient experience has been gained. Job prospects for Fitters/Turners are good.

FITTER (FITTER MACHINERY) / TURNER (TURNER MACHINIST)

Volume3 , Issue 3 Page 4

SHEET METAL WORKER

A Sheet and Metal Worker makes different articles from sheet metal, which have to be less than three millimeters

thick. He/she manufactures objects like switchboards, work benches, steel cabinets, ventilation ducts, manufac-

tures and repairs household utensils.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Selecting sheet metal and marking it for cutting and shaping according to a drawing or other specification. Cutting metal sheets, using a pattern of manufactured templates as a guide, by hand or machine. Measuring and tracing the design onto the metal sheep according to the specification provided by plans, models or drawings. Drilling holes and punching rivets and bolts. Assembling and joining the fabricated part of metal sheet by using brazing, soldering, welding, bolting and riveting methods

REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING

Secondary Education

Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however, recom-

mended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age.

Compulsory Subjects

Mathematics , Physical Science and English

Tertiary Education

Training is provided via any of the following three described routes at a Vocational Training Centre, namely: the

apprenticeship opportunity, the co-operative opportunity or the vocational trainee opportunity. NIMT also offers

training in metal sheet work.

Personality

A prospective sheet metal worker should have good mechanical and practical abilities, eye-hand co-ordination and

should work accurately.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Sheet metal workers are employed in the mining industry, aerospace industry and contractors that specialize in

heating, refrigeration, air pollution etc. or by motor companies. Self employment is a possible if sufficient experi-

ence has been gained. Job prospects seem to be good.

Page 5 Career Focus

A welder and fabricator join two or more pieces of metal together by means of an oxy-acetylene gas flame or with an electric arc, etc. he/she makes and repairs articles and parts of cold sheet metal.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Reading, interpreting and examining drawings and specifications. Marking metal members/types to guide, for instance, cutting, drilling and welding. Shaping structure steel in the workshops or at buildings, bridges, ships and other constructions. Positioning the parts and preparing the surfaces to be welded. Selecting the right torch nozzle and adjusting the flame (gas welding) or selecting the electrode and striking the arc with correct amperage (arch welding) giving regard to the proper work method and material in use. Guiding the welding flame or electrode to melt and fuse the work pieces with molten metal from the welding rod or electrode moving the flame or arc along the joint. Cleaning and smoothing the welding joints or parts, cutting steel plates, angle iron, tubes, etc. by using power shears, guillotines, Bending, shaping and joining the fabricated parts to required specifications. Brazing and soft soldering different materials together

REQUIREMENTS & TRAINING

Secondary Education

Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification, is however, recom-

mended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age.

Compulsory Subjects

Mathematics, Physical Science and English

Tertiary Education

Training is provided via any of the three described routes at a Vocational Training Centre, namely: the apprenticeship

opportunity, the co-operative opportunity or the vocational trainee opportunity. NIMT also offers training courses in

welding and fabricating.

Personality

The prospective welder and fabricator should have good eye-hand co-ordination, work accurately and be practically-

minded in order to be able to interpret drawings of technical and engineering content.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Welder and Fabricators are employed by heavy and light engineering industries, gate and fence industries, etc. Self-

employment is a possibility if sufficient experience has been gained. Job opportunities seem to be good.

WELDER AND FABRICATOR

Volume3 , Issue 3 Page 6

INSTITUTIONS THAT PROVIDE MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TRADE TRAINING

It is expected of the Namibia Training Authority as the official regulating body in the Vocational Education and Training sector, to ensure that all training providers operating within the borders of our country, in-deed meet quality training standards. The following institutions are now registered with the NTA and have been issued with registration certificates :

Windhoek Vocational Training Centre OkakararaVocational Training Centre Tel#: (061) 211 742 Tel: (067) 317 069

Eenhana Vocational Training Centre Valombola Vocational Training Centre Tel#: (065) 263 600 Tel#: (065) 230 033

Zambezi Vocational Training Centre Private School Elnatan Stampriet Tel: (066) 253 264 Tel#: (063) 260079

NamPower National Youth Service Tel#: 061-2054111 Tel#: 061 415 500

NIMT (THE NAMIBIAN INSTITUTE THE NAMIBIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY ) offers a four-year training opportunity in the Boilermaking & Welding trade and the Fitting & Turning trade. Training is based on the Apprenticeship modular training approach in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of the industry.

NIMT ENGINEERING & BUILDING CIVIL TRADES MAIN CAMPUS ARANDIS Tel: 064-511800 Fax: 064-510369 E-mail: nimtho@iafrica.com.na

NIMT NORTHERN CAMPUS TSUMEB Tel: 067-224500 Fax: 067-221714 E-mail: nncho@nimtnamibia.com

NIMT SOUTHERN CAMPUS KEETMANSHOOP Tel: 064-511800 Fax: 064-510369 E-mail: nimtho@iafrica.com.na

By providing the youth with vocational training, you can help

them develop the skills to secure jobs as adults and break the cycle of poverty.

-Anonymous

Tel# : 061 224840 E-mail: williams@tucsin.org

We’re on the web:

www.tucsin.org as well as on Facebook

Please go and “like” us under Tucsin Alumni on Facebook

YOU CAN FOLLOW US FOR MORE NEWS FROM OUR TUCSIN WEBSITE PAGE AS WELL AS TUCSIN ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE.

Volume3 , Issue 3 Page 7

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Reference: Min of Labour & Social Welfare - Careers in Namibia 2005/2006

EENHANA –Ten learners from the nearby Lineekela Naukushu Combined School recently visited the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre (EVTC).

The visit was part of the learners’ educational tour to vocational centres for them to gain a better understanding of the courses offered by the various vocational training centres resorting under the Namibia Training Authority (NTA). The learners where accompanied by their Life Science teacher, Meme H Mbidi who explains that they decided to come to the EVTC so that they can have a better understanding of skills and courses it offers. “We have been watching an advertisement of NTA on NBC TV and reading them in the

newspapers but as a school we decided to let our Grade 10 learners know more about the NTA hence our visit to-day,” she says

EVTC’s Special Programmes Officer, Peter Hangula, guided the learner during taking them to the Administration Office, Plumbing and Pipe Fitting, Metal Fabrication, Joinery and Cabinet Making and Bricklaying. The EVTC cur-rently offers five trades. Theopelus Nghihepa, a Grade 10 learner at the school says he was so excited to tour the EVTC since he was not aware about NTA and its business of training the youths. “Truly speaking, I was not aware of this organisation called NTA and now I have seen one of its centres here in the Ohangwena region. I would like to join them and enroll for a technical trade, especially Metal Fabrication or Office Administration,” he enthuses.

However, Hangula encourages learners to study hard for better symbols in Mathematics and Sciences for them to enroll for one of the technical trades. “We assure you that you will one of these trainees later if you pass your Mathematics and Sciences but if you want to enroll for Office Administration, we strictly need a better symbol in English,” he advises.

Laina Sheetekela who is also in Grade 10 at Lineekela Naukushu Combined School was also in ecstasy to see some young EVTC female trainees busy working with heavy and big machinery in the Joinery and Cabinet Making De-partment. “I would like to be a Carpenter after my Grade 10 or Grade 12. It’s really surprising to see these young female trainees handling heavy machinery. I am also a female and why should I not make it like them. I will make sure that I work hard in my Sciences and Mathematics,” she says. Mbidi describes the tour as worthy since it’s a way of motivating learners. “Yes indeed, we would like to make it an annual tour for our school because as future leaders and entrepreneurs of this country, learners need to know much about their future, and mostly professions they need to embark on after school apart from the career fairs events,” she determines.

By Clemence Tashaya

Article from New Era (April 9th, 2014)