Nav:
Home
|
Inst.
|
Burs.
|
Careers
Roll Turner
The trade name of a 'roll turner' is descriptive of the work. A metal blank is formed (turned) to a specific shape required for the rolling of steel in a rolling mill. Railway rails are one of the products made by roll turners.
At rolling mills metals are shaped by passing heated metal blocks back and forth between the specially formed rolls of a mill stand, until the desired shape and length have been obtained. Roll turners form and shape these sets of rolls by means of lathes and specially prepared tools such as templates (patterns) until they conform to the specified shape.
Working from blueprints, roll turners clamp steel blocks in giant lathes and cut the desired grooves into the steel blocks, using cutting tools. Roll turners constantly check the shape and size of the grooves on the roll against a template (pattern). In this way the rolls, to be used in rolling mills to shape other steel blocks, are manufactured.
Satisfying Aspects
- working with your hands
- reasonably clean work and the noise is bearable
- little risk in the work
- usually normal working hours
Demanding aspects
- occasional monotony of the work
- being on your feet for long periods
- bending over lathes can be tiring
Requirements
A roll turner should:
- be at least 16 years old;
- be meticulously accurate;
- concentrate for long periods;
- be a very careful worker;
- be responsible;
- like to work with his hands.
School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate.
Some employers prefer higher qualifications.
Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mechanical Tec hnology, Mathematics, Engineering and Graphic Design
Training
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
- Large engineering enterprises
- Transnet
- Mittal Steel
- Such companies as Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation
Contact
Any of the above mentioned potential employers and
MERSETA
P O Box 61826
Marshalltown, 2107
Tel: (011) 484-9310
www.merseta.org.za
Steel Industries Federation of SA (SEIFSA)
P O Box 1338
Johannesburg, 2000
Tel: (011) 833-6033
Fax:(011) 838-1522
www.seifsa.co.za