BUSINESS AND TRAINING
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He explains that the training is run on a sound commercial
business model. “The speciality courses offered fall out of the
SAQA recognised courses, so no government learnership grants
can be obtained. To address this in the future, we have drafted
a training standard for HDPE drainage and this is currently
with industry for comment. We hope to have this approved
by our industry body IOPSA, PIRB, and then finally SAQA for
incorporation into the plumbing certificate, either as mandatory
or elective credits.
The training model, De Fine says, is based on a two-year
development and mentorship programme, plus another year to
do the plumbing learnership qualification. “During the two-year
period, most of the skills required for this extra year are covered.
The goal is to achieve qualified plumbers within their
chosen speciality.”
MODEL ROLL-OUT
The process for the training model’s roll-out proceeds as follows:
Promotion of trades — selection of possible candidates —
interviews and assessment — week one: basic skills training,
orientation, induction and selection — those that make it through
their medicals move on to week two — Co-operatives, finance,
drawings, take offs, health and safety, communications, HR — week
9/10: workplace experience starts through the partnership with
a plumbing contractor — week 11/12: workplace experience on
rotation — weeks 13–104: working on projects for plumbers on an
outcome basis as a proper level 1 BEE company.
MENTORING PROGRAMME
During weeks 9–12, each student is on a rotation basis and
spends one day a week back at the training centre for additional
training interventions. According to De Fine, weeks 13–104 are an
ongoing mentorship on site in all aspects of running a plumbing
company, including financial controls, making payments, and profit
and loss.
The last year is combined with the speciality training and
preparing for the trade test. During the three-year period, all
plumbers that make it to week 13 will be mentored and will
operate as a sustainable business. The students receive a stipend
for the periods week one to week eight. In week nine to 12, they
receive a full stipend. From week 13 to week 17, they receive
50% of the stipend and earn money from the contract on an
outcome basis. From week 18 onwards they earn as they learn
and no stipend is paid.
“The learning experience, process, procedures, and progress are
monitored through the paperless project management system, Max-
form. This process allows the training team to identify weaknesses
and positive areas. It also allows for sponsors and funders to
monitor the success and return on investment of each student,”
concludes De Fine.
Continued on page 39 >>
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6