The trade test is the last stage in the journey to becoming a fully qualified artisan. Whether you are training to become a plumber, electrician or mechanic you will need to write this formal test in order to receive national recognition in your field.

Ally Seerang used to steal anything made of metal and sell his loot to feed his drug addiction. Today, Seerang is using the same metal to support his family after taking part in an artisan training programme.

A gender revolution has begun in what were exclusively male industries, led by a still-tiny vanguard of women artisans produced by South Africa’s TVET College system.