Fitters and turners are highly skilled craftspeople who manufacture, construct, assemble and fit components for machinery, vehicles, installations and other apparatus or articles. Fitter and turners are also responsible for the maintenance and repair of such equipment.
Fitters and turners first select and mark off the material required according to exact measurements on blueprints, drawings or a model. They then shape the rough piece of metal into its final form with power-operated tools such as lathes, milling, drilling and planing machines. Finally they fit the parts required to complete the machine or article and inspect and test the final assembly for true fit.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with your hands
- the opportunity to specialize
- good employment opportunities and earning potential
- challenge of constructing and maintaining equipment
- seeing the results of your work
Demanding aspects
- physical demands, such as standing, bending and crouching can be tiring
- working overtime on public holidays as well as weekend and nightshift work
- working in noisy, dirty and sometimes crowded conditions
Requirements
A fitter and turner should:
- be at least 16 years old;
- be meticulously accurate;
- enjoy working with their hands;
- be practical;
- have mathematical aptitude;
- be patient and even-tempered when setting up a machine and watching the machine while the turning is in progress;
- able to concentrate under noisy working conditions;
- be responsible;
- be able to read three-dimensional drawings.
School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate.
Some employers prefer higher qualifications.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mechanical Technology, Mathematic, Engineering and Graphic Design
Training
The duration of the learnership is normally 4 years in the metal industry.
The training of fitters and turners can be divided into three aspects, namely the practical training at an accredited training centre, in-service training under the supervision of qualified tradespersons and theoretical training. The theoretical training is done through a FET college, such as Northlink, False Bay, Umgungundlovu, Ekurhuleni West, or a correspondence college, up to the level of N6.
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.
3. FET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (this NCV) similar to the
new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.
Learners must all receive training in occupational safety and first aid, fire-fighting and preventative security measures. Learners study everything about the installation, maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment. They must also become familiar with municipal legislation relevant to electricity supply and consumption.
Employer
- Fitting and turning contractors engaged in manufacturing, construction or maintenance and repair
- Large engineering works
- Large industrial plants
- Factories
- Iron and steel plants
- Shipyards
- Government departments
- Transnet
- Mines
- Garages
Contact
Merseta
P O Box 61826
Marshalltown, 2101
Tel: (011) 484-9310
www.merseta.org.za