Manpower Training Act, 1981 (Act No. 56 of 1981)

Designation of Trades and Prescription of Conditions of Apprenticeship

7. Testing and achievement of qualifications
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1)
a)Every apprentice in each designated trade shall pass an approved trade test.
b)Trade tests shall be conducted at trade test centres accredited by the MQA. Dates shall be arranged and published by the MQA.

 

2)To be accepted as a candidate for a trade test referred to in subclause (1)(a) an apprentice shall-
a)Have completed the modular training programme approved by the MQA, demonstrated his competence by successful completion of the stage tests, completed the prescribed modular training, obtained the required number of modular credits;
b)if required, supply documentary proof of having met the requirements in paragraph (a);
c)Except in exceptional circumstances, as approved by the MQA, have obtained at least the National Technical Certificate, Part II (N2), in four subjects, or the integrated course (N2), or the equivalent technical certificate of which, in all cases referred to above, one subject must be the appropriate trade theory.

 

3)An employer who intends to indenture an apprentice in possession of an N2 certificate or higher and/or with appropriate practical experience may request the MQA to evaluate that apprentice’s level of competence by means of the stage tests, and thereafter permit the apprentice to commence his training at the next higher stage.

 

4)An apprentice who fails his first attempt at the trade test shall be permitted a further two additional attempts: Provided that these be at least six months apart and occur before the maximum period of apprenticeship expires. The contract shall be deemed to be terminated if the apprentice fails the third trade test.

 

5)On successful completion of each of the stage tests, the apprentice shall be issued with a certificate, which shall list his demonstrated skills as related to the modules comprising that stage.

 

6)Should an apprentice fail the first stage test or the second attempt at any subsequent stage test, and in consultation with the MQA he is deemed as unsuitable for further training, the MQA may cancel his contract and he shall exit the system with the skills certificate of the highest stage achieved.