North West Training Centre known as NTC was established in 2008 as a Trade Test Centre, for plumbers and Electricians.
We are accredited with OCTO, NAMB, EWSETA, CONSTRUCTION CETA, MERSETA, SERVICES SETA, DEPT HIGHER EDUCATION for Plumbing and Electrical for Legacy and Occupational ARPL and Contracted candidates
In the years after establishment of NTC we trade tested through the Dept of Labour until 2013 when we were moved over to the Department of Higher Education and Training.
With the establishment of QCTO way back in 2010 it was common knowledge that all Trade test Centre’s will eventually migrate across from Legacy Trade tests to Occupational Trade tests as Legacy would be phased out by 2022.
The migration has had a few challenges as expected when moving so many trades over from one system to another.
NTC experienced the first of these challenges in 2022 and as time passed we managed to resolve many of them.
Having said all that about where we started and to where we have come over the past 17 years with the various departments and the people within the different departments I must say that there has been a tremendous amount of support from all these departments over the years.
As a Trade test Centre we have two pathways to Trade test, the first pathway is the Apprenticeship, and the second pathway is ARPL (artisan recognition of prior learning)
Both Trade Test Certificates are exactly the same it is only the pathway to the Trade test that is different. Although we now refer to Trade test as an External Integrated Summative Assessment.
When we look at an apprenticeship it is a contract between 3 parties, namely the Candidate the Company and the Department of Labour. Not many Companies offer apprenticeships any more because you are stuck with that candidate for 5 years.
The contract is for a fixed period of 5 years and this includes the candidates external studies at a Tvet College.
The candidate has the be exposed to practical work Place experience as well as his Knowledge modules
The ARPL pathway is available for candidates who were never afforded the opportunity to enroll in an apprenticeship but who have been exposed to work place experience.
The minimum workplace experience that is required is 3 years traceable work place experience.
With this experience you may enter the ARPL pathway and become qualified.
Trade tests are only performed once a Candidate receives a serial number from Government, which we will discuss on another day.
The actual test is performed over a 2 day period. Not Months or years, the training to the test can take months or years.
At NTC we are proud to say that we will not let a candidate enter the Trade test if the candidate is not ready, we will prep him/her and if we find there are Gaps in his knowledge modules and practical skill we will return him/her for Gap closure training before attempting the actual trade test.
In the same breath I must say that many older artisans are of the belief that the newer artisans are not as good as they were, but I can assure you if a person leaves our centre he as the same knowledge as the older artisan had the day he left his centre, he just does not have the experience, which is something that cannot be taught.
At NTC Training Centre we do assist a number of Tvet colleges with Trade testing for there Candidates on a Service Level Agreement as they do not have the facility of Trade Testing.
I must give some input with regards to Trade testing, in a trade test we do not promote a product so the test is based on safety and the knowledge of the method of installation.
Each test has to be done within a prescribed time period and must be authentic, fair and consistent.
NTC currently does and average of 200-300 trade test per year and with the opening of our new branch in Cape Town we will grow to 400 per year.
Or focus at NTC is to uplift semiskilled artisans to a skilled level and in so doing we will uplift his/her whole family at the same time which is turn opens the gap for new workers to move into the semi skilled market place.
Our Track record speaks for itself, we do not leave candidates until they pass. Once candidates have passed they are still on the whats app groups for additional support and questions as and when they require information.
As a Trade test centre we are moderated externally and strive to stay abreast with as much new equipment as possible, we do not have broken or missing equipment and all our equipment is maintained on a ongoing basis
In 17 years of doing what we do best, we have a few thousand candidates and I must say we do not have a single unemployed candidate.
Nobody else can make that statement.
