TUCSIN 2015 Trades in Namibia - Mechanical Engineering Trades Volume3, Issue 3 MARCH 2015 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: Inside this issue: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TRADES Boilermaker Fitter (fitter-machinery ) / Turner (turner machinist) Sheet Metal Worker Welder and Fabricator 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
Page 2 BOILERMAKER 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. 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 flamecutting 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. Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however recommended. The candidate must be at least 16 years old. Mathematics, Physical Science and English 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. Accuracy, a mechanical aptitude, physical strength, the ability to interpret drawings and a mathematical background, are essential qualities that a boilermaker should have. Boilermakers are employed by metal and related industries such as mines. Job prospects are favourable.
Page 3 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. 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 manufactured 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. Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however, recommended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age. Mathematics, Physical Science FITTER (FITTER MACHINERY) / TURNER (TURNER MACHINIST) Training is provided via any of the following described-routes at a Vocational Training Centre, namely: the apprenticeship opportunity, the co-operative opportunity or the vocational trainee opportunity to obtain apprenticeships or red seal diploma. NIMT offers training in fitting and turning. Fitters/Turners should be mechanically minded, accurate, patient, have good manual dexterity and use judgment to work with the different tools 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.
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, manufactures and repairs household utensils. 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 Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification is, however, recommended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age. Mathematics, Physical Science and English 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. A prospective sheet metal worker should have good mechanical and practical abilities, eye-hand co-ordination and should work accurately. 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 experience has been gained. Job prospects seem to be good.
Page 5 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. WELDER AND FABRICATOR 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 Possession of at least a Grade 10 or equivalent qualification is required. A higher qualification, is however, recommended. The candidate must be at least 16 years of age. Mathematics, Physical Science and English 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. The prospective welder and fabricator should have good eye-hand co-ordination, work accurately and be practicallyminded in order to be able to interpret drawings of technical and engineering content. Welder and Fabricators are employed by heavy and light engineering industries, gate and fence industries, etc. Selfemployment is a possibility if sufficient experience has been gained. Job opportunities seem to be good.
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, indeed 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 fouryear 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
Volume3, Issue 3 Page 7 FOOD FOR THOUGHT 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 today, 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 currently 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 Department. 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) Reference: Min of Labour & Social Welfare - Careers in Namibia 2005/2006 YOU CAN FOLLOW US FOR MORE NEWS FROM OUR TUCSIN WEBSITE PAGE AS WELL AS TUCSIN ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE. We re on the web: www.tucsin.org as well as on Facebook Please go and like us under Tucsin Alumni on Facebook Tel# : 061 224840 E-mail: williams@tucsin.org