Trade Test Certificate
A trade test is the final summative assessment for people who are completing an artisan qualification for a listed trade. Individuals wanting to take a trade test are required to meet specific criteria set out in the Skills Development Act, 1998 (ACT 97 of 1998).
What Is A Trade Test?
Trade tests were created to provide for a single national artisan trade testing and certification system across all economic sectors in South Africa.
It is believed that by setting national standards for trade testing, relevant industries and the broader economy will benefit from suitable qualified artisans.
Trade tests must be completed at an accredited Trade Test Centre by an Assessor who is registered with the National Artisan Moderating Body.
Here Are The Entrance Requirements Of A Trade Test
- N2 Certificate including the four relevant subjects of Maths, engineering science and a fourth subject as required by the trade; or
- Technical trade theory programs quality assured by a SETA deemed to be equivalent to NQF level 3; or
- Relevant Engineering NCV Certificate with seven subjects at NQF level 3; or
- Technical Grade 11 with Maths, Science, Language and related trade theory subject; or
- Relevant (directly related to the trade theory subjects) N6 certificate or National Technical Diploma (T, S or N stream.)
In addition to the above mentioned minimum level of educational qualification, the applicant must also have:
- successfully completed all of the job practical training unit standards (in the case of learnerships) or modules (in the case of an apprenticeship) of an artisan learning program at an accredited training provider as verifiable by training records.
- satisfied the requirements of the structured workplace, on the job, learning for a minimum period of 12 months verifiable through a workplace learning record (e.g logbook).
The minimum level of knowledge for recognition of prior learning referred to in regulation 2(3) is a 50% pass in a written knowledge assessment that is an integral part of a recognition of prior learning toolkit approved by NAMB.
Trade Test NQF Level
Candidates who have not gone through a formal artisan learning program but have relevant work experience in the related trade may be granted access to a trade test if they have completed:
- N2 Certificate including the relevant trade theory subjects and a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience; or
- Technical trade theory programs quality assured by a SETA deemed to be at NQF level 3 and a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience; or
- Relevant Engineering NCV at NQF level 3 and a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience; or
- Relevant engineering NC(V) 4 plus completion of all relevant work experience modules and a minimum of 18-months relevant work experience; or
- Technical Grade 12 with Maths, Science and related trade theory subject and a minimum of 3 years relevant work experience; or
- Grade 9 and a minimum of 4 years relevant work experience; or
- Relevant (directly related to the trade theory subjects) N6 certificate or National Technical Diploma (T,S or N stream.) with 18 months relevant work experience.
Working as a tradesmen can be an extremely attractive profession offering good wages, flexible working hours and job security. Information on trade jobs, job opportunities and trade apprenticeships can be found on Careers Portal.
