BUSINESS AND TRAINING

19

By

Rory Macnamara

As with many of our trades , waterproofing and roof repairs are dogged by the notorious ‘ bakkie brigade ’ in the worst sense . This impacts on the industry reputation generally , and roof repairing and waterproofing in particular .

The recently formed Roofing Academy has been created to train and uplift those wishing to render a quality service in roof repairs and waterproofing .

Whilst this discipline generally adds very little value to the aesthetics of the building , its role in application and repair is critical . Failure to apply and lack of knowledge can cost the customer a huge amount when the ‘ band aid ’ job fails and the bakkie brigade member has disappeared .

The SAQA approved course , run under the auspices of the Construction SETA ( CETA ) is entitled the national Certificate waterproofing , SAQA code 65929 , NQF level 2 now can be taught in an environment suitable for theory and simulated practical training at the Academy .

All images : © Plumbing Africa | Rory Macnamara

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The learning methods are : Integration , Simulated , Standards , Workbased and Modular . For employers this provides a great opportunity to place their employees on an established course ensuring that the work is done right the first time . for employees that have had an element of work experience they can benefit from the Recognised Prior Learning ( RPL ) process which is :

• Identifying what the learner knows and can do .

• Matching the learner ’ s skills , knowledge and experience to specific standards and the associated assessment criteria of the qualification .

• Assessing the candidate against the relevant standards .

• Crediting the candidate for skills , knowledge and experience built up through formal , informal , and non-formal learning that occurred in the past .

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This is a positive and meaningful way of learning and at the end of the course , the employer has qualified people working for him / her , and satisfied customers .

By doing such training , whether unemployed or employed through the Academy with a recognised qualification makes for more qualified people out there and empowering the people willing to learn and continue a path of learning .

Not only does the industry benefit but the kindred industries benefit from knowing that they can call on a qualified person to provide guidance . For example , in the plumbing industry when

June 2021 Volume 27 I Number 4 www . plumbingafrica . co . za