Today, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Mduduzi Manana, MP, motivated over 1200 high school learners and youth not in education or training (NEET) to consider career paths in artisanship. 'The Decade of the Artisan campaign aims to encourage more young people (high school learners and unemployed youth) to see artisanship as a career of choice. The slogan of the campaign is, ‘it’s cool to be a 21stcentury artisan’, said the Deputy Minister.

An artisan is a person who has been certified as competent to perform a listed trade in accordance with the Skills Development Act. Manana said, ‘you too can be an artisan; only if you follow your passion and talent. The shortage of artisans in the country is an obstacle to economic growth. For you to become a qualified artisan, you need to have proper career guidance.  Grade 09 is a pivotal year in determining your career as it will be time you make subject choices.

To choose a good career, you must know what career path you want to take. An important consideration to take is to choose careers that are in the scarce and critical list, since they are the ones in short supply and highly needed in the industry sectors. To name a few, the following skills are needed and in high demand: bricklayer, carpenter, electrician, millwright, boilermaker, plumber, fitter and turner, plasterer, welder, and pipe fitter’.

Requirements of becoming an artisan are a minimum of 40% in Mathematics(excluding mathematical literacy) at Grade 09 level or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 02; and in case of civil, mechanical and electrical categories of trades a minimum of 40% in the relevant N02 trade theory or the relevant vocational subjects of the National Certificate (vocational) Level 02.

The entire pathways end with a trade test at a national trade test centre that is accredited by the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO). In order to call yourself a qualified artisan, you must pass the trade test.

Mrs Maphefo Anno-Frampong, the CEO of TETA (Transport Education and Training Authority) told learners to be on the look-out for other opportunities like learnerships that all the Sector, Education and Training Authority’s (SETAs) are offering. 

The Deputy Minister  encouraged learners to consider TVET Colleges when they seek post-school opportunities in the near future.

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education and Training