1. (a) The total number of learners who underwent assessment at INDLELA in 2016/17 and 2017/18 is 8361.
(b) The total number of learners who passed their trade test at INDLELA during this period is 6383.
The table below indicates the trade tests conducted and passed per trade during 2016/17 and 2017/18
No |
Trade |
2016/17 |
2017/18 As at the end of Quarter 3 |
||
Tested |
Passed |
Tested |
Passed |
||
Aircraft maintenance mechanic |
52 |
41 |
25 |
15 |
|
Aircraft structures worker |
15 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
|
Armature winder |
11 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
|
Automotive motor mechanic |
129 |
71 |
94 |
50 |
|
Avionics mechanician |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Blacksmith |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Boiler maker |
413 |
356 |
303 |
206 |
|
Bricklayer |
107 |
35 |
105 |
25 |
|
Carpenter |
135 |
90 |
107 |
49 |
|
Diesel mechanic |
355 |
139 |
308 |
84 |
|
Electrician |
1175 |
886 |
1442 |
787 |
|
Electronic equipment mechanician |
11 |
9 |
12 |
8 |
|
Fitter and turner |
45 |
23 |
88 |
25 |
|
Heavy equipment mechanic |
63 |
32 |
36 |
18 |
|
Instrument mechanician |
18 |
15 |
10 |
9 |
|
Joiner |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mechanical fitter |
360 |
298 |
421 |
237 |
|
Metal machinist |
19 |
15 |
28 |
9 |
|
Millwright |
39 |
34 |
46 |
30 |
|
Painter |
101 |
54 |
91 |
34 |
|
Panelbeater |
17 |
10 |
6 |
2 |
|
Plasterer |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Plumber |
639 |
594 |
422 |
335 |
|
Radiotrician |
13 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
|
Rigger |
164 |
105 |
144 |
60 |
|
Sheetmetal worker |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Structural plater |
0 |
0 |
10 |
6 |
|
Transportation electrician |
62 |
33 |
98 |
34 |
|
Vehicle body builder |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Vehicle painter |
21 |
14 |
11 |
4 |
|
Welder |
380 |
300 |
184 |
149 |
|
TOTAL |
4357 |
3193 |
4007 |
2190 |
2. (a) The mean waiting (lead) time between the receipt of an application for a trade test and the first date on which the actual assessment was undertaken was 120 days (annual average) for 2016/17 and 86 days (annual average) for 2017/18 which is a year-to-year average of 103 days as at the third quarter of 2017/18 over the two year period.
Table on average lead time:
Financial Year |
Quarter 1 |
Quarter 2 |
Quarter 3 |
Quarter 4 |
Annual |
2016 - 2017 |
148 days |
112 days |
121 days |
97 days |
120 days |
2017 - 2018 |
97 days |
73 days |
86 days |
Outstanding |
Outstanding |
(b) When a candidate finishes his/her trade test, the assessor gives immediate feedback in the workshop, including his/her overall results. However, the process is still subject to quality assurance conducted by a moderator. If successful, it then takes a month for a candidate to receive his/her certificate issued by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). A trade test centre is required to forward the certificate to the candidate once the QCTO has issued.
3. (a) The total cost of trade tests and related services at INDLELA for the financial year 2017/18 as at 12 March 2018 was R80 474 000 made up of R9 306 000 for goods and services, R357 000 for machinery and equipment and the difference of R70 811 000 for remuneration of staff. The current allocation in terms of goods and services, machinery and equipment does not enable improvement of the facility and merely provides for service delivery.
The cost for a trade test to employed candidates varies between a minimum of R220 to a maximum of R500 depending on the trade and for unemployed candidates between R220 and R275 also depending on the trade for which the candidate applies.
b) Included in the trade test fees is the trade test application, registration, testing and certification costs. A trade test applicant only pays the fees if his or her application is successful in meeting the criteria for access to a trade test as regulated under Trade Test Regulations 11(3) or 11(5) or the Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) process.
4. (a) INDLELA works closely with the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) which in the past three years has progressively eliminated unaccredited trade test centres and training providers from the system. The elimination is achieved through allocation of a serial number system which is given only to accredited trade test centres and training providers who meet the minimum accreditation standards. Without this serial number they cannot be registered on the system for trade testing. NAMB continuously performs quality assurance audits at these accredited trade test centres and training providers and those who fall below the minimum quality standard requirements face deregistration.
To improve the success chances of candidates, the Department has, in consultation with business and organised labour, developed and progressively started with the implementation of an ARPL intervention process founded on a tested model. The broader objective of the ARPL intervention is to assist in closing knowledge and skills gaps identified during and after the assessment process. To this effect, ARPL interventions for the welding, boiler making, mechanical fitting, diesel mechanic and motor mechanic trades was implemented nationally on 19 October 2017 and for hairdressing on
6 December 2017. Due to the short period since implementation and considering the process and duration from when an applicant entering the ARPL process to writing a trade test, it is still early to indicate the success rate.
INDLELA has also developed the National Artisan Development Strategy which re-establishes the dual system of apprenticeship training. The implementation date is envisaged to be in April 2019, subject to successful policy development processes.
b) Artisan statistics from INDLELA trade testing indicate a continuously improving pass rate percentage which in the previous 3 years (2013/14, 2014/15 and 2015/16) on average was 45% yet in 2016/17 financial year improved to 52%.
5. (a) INDLELA hostel has a bed and breakfast facility and can accommodate a total of 100 candidates in hostel rooms, of which 20 rooms are fitted with two single beds for female candidates; 20 rooms are fitted with two single beds for male candidates; and 20 rooms are fitted with a single bed for male candidates.
b) The cost for accommodation including bed and breakfast is R 130 per candidate per day. On average 60 candidates tested at INDLELA per session are utilising the accommodation facility leading to an average occupation rate of around 60% of the facilities.