40 BUSINESS AND TRAINING
Toolmaking apprentices make their mark
Cobra Watertech, part of LIXIL Africa, has seen its investment into a toolmaking apprenticeship programme producing a group of dynamic young artisans in a little-known profession that is essential to local manufacturers’ success.
By LIXIL Africa
Cobra apprentices photographed are, from left: Solomon Lebakeng, Ofentse Modibedi, Mark Strydom, and Kevin Burger.
In less than a year, four Cobra apprentices completed their toolmaking trade tests under the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority( merSETA), and entered the workplace equipped with scarce but essential skills sure to be in high demand.
Toolmakers are a specialised class of machinists whose job it is to design and create jigs, fixtures, dies, moulds, machine tools, cutting tools, gauges, and other tools used in the manufacturing process. These tools are what makes it possible to mass-produce goods quickly, cost-effectively, and at a high level of precision and detail. Every successful graduate is vital, not just to Cobra’ s operations, but to South Africa’ s engineering and manufacturing industry.
“ This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life,” says Ofentse Modibe, tool and die maker artisan at Cobra.“ It’ s an incredible feeling as a toolmaker to walk into a shopping mall and see a tap or mixer that was made with one of my moulds. People don’ t realise how important toolmaking is to the things they take for granted.”
Before they can take the trade test, candidates need to complete an N2-level certificate in fitting, turning, mathematics, and science at a FET college, as well as a threeyear apprenticeship in a functioning manufacturing operation.
On passing the exam, candidates are certified to work in any engineering industry around the world as toolmaker artisans. While the failure rate is high for the toolmaking exam, the stringent training means that every candidate to have gone through the Cobra apprenticeship programme, has passed.
LIXIL Africa
October 2018 Volume 24 I Number 8 www. plumbingafrica. co. za