Industry training portal
The OPPASA aims to uplift and keep the National quality of maintenance and repairs on Outdoor Power Equipment to international standards to protect the consumer. The OPPASA aims to achieve this goal by implementing a "I KNOW, I"M SKILLED, I CAN and I'M COMPITENT" process within the framework set by SAQA.
SAQA describes this framework of apprenticeships to combine theory, practical work and workplace practice in a chosen trade field and in the case of a listed trade ends in a trade test and an artisan certificate of competence. In South Africa, apprenticeships are monitored by the QCTO. The National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) oversees the quality assurance of apprenticeships on behalf of the QCTO. NAMB is responsible for moderating trade tests, developing and managing a national database of registered artisan trade assessors and moderators, recording artisan achievements and recommending the certification of artisans to the QCTO.
Developing this training portal, the Board of Subject Experts (BSE) of the OPPASA constantly seek current innovative resources and only develop add-on systems to personalize the training to South African conditions and needs. The OPE industry play a crucial role, not only in this development but also in taking part in it by both rendering services and enrolling trainees.
I CAN
Under supervision of a mentor in an approved workplace the apprentice applies his/her knowledge. The apprentice and mentor keeps a log book of the activities related to the apprenticeship and once all the activities has been experienced the apprentice CAN.
I'M COMPITENT
To be a certified mechanic the apprentice needs to pass a final practical exam. To prepare for the exam the candidate must build a file of evidence with the relevant
I KNOW - certification(s)
I'M SKILLED - certification(s)
I CAN - log book.
Prior learning could be submitted for credits.
I Know!
In order to raise the level of qualified technicians in the OPE industry, the EETC developed the EETC Technician Certification Program. Certified technicians demonstrate a higher level of technical proficiency in their work which increases the level of professionalism at dealerships. EETC tests are based on industry standards and are written and updated annually by a committee of manufacturers, distributors, and dealers, each of whom has expertise in their subject area. The OPPASA recommends the EETC as the knowledge component of becoming a qualified mechanic.
I'm skilled
A recognized OPPASA trade school is a post high school educational institution that offers training in Small Engine and Equipment trade and sub trades. This school might be part of an operational OPE supplier or dealer but has an business and space department dedicated to training. This entity should comply to all the needs of a technical training institution to be able to train the apprentice on all the knowledge learned from the EETC. The institution must also be staffed with an accredited facilitator Currently no such trade school exists in South Africa and the OPPASA is eager collaborate with interested parties.
I can
The workplace or dealership plays a final but crucial training part in the apprenticeship. The dealership appoints and empowers an existing employee to act as an coach.
Coaching is an important part of an apprenticeship and can provide much needed additional support to an apprentice, helping them understand their role in the organisation, develop their career path, and provide a listening ear if they’re facing any problems and challenges.
Coaching helps people to learn and develop. Coaching therefore has the potential to make a valuable contribution to apprentices in terms of their personal and professional development and to the overall development of the organisation.
Benefits for the apprentice can include:
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Increased confidence/self-esteem
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Increased sense of value within the organisation
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Additional help and support
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Safe learning environment (can be open about vulnerabilities)
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Increased understanding of the organisation
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Focus on specific skills through coaching from the mentor
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Ideas about career opportunities
The benefits are not all one way. Coaching too can gain a sense of value within the organisation as well as satisfaction from passing on their skills and wisdom; also greater understanding of the organisation and its issues and problems, as well as improving one-to-one communication skills, coaching skills and management skills.
The coach keeps a logbook of the progress of the apprentice.
The logbook is a progressive record of learning and should reflect on the workplace exposure for the full duration of the Apprenticeship. It contains critical elements relating to the work that needs to be done which is referred to as modules. For record keeping purposes each module is coded and relates to an objective guiding the learner what to do.
The logbook must be available for inspection and verification during site visits inspectors. The learner will maintain the Logbook on a weekly basis. The learner will furnish the logbook to the workplace mentor upon which the supervisor may initial as indication of consent as applicable:
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Assist only: means that the learner performed work under instruction of the supervisor
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Need Supervision means: the learner performed his own work and asked for coaching / guidance when required
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Independent work: means that the learner performed work without any assistance or coaching
The learner may not expect to get workplace exposure in the areas where his / her applied competence may fall short as it may affect the quality of the work. It is expected that the logbook will guide the learner and Workplace Coach through the stages starting at Assist Only and eventually Independent Work. Keep in mind that each code of work should not be seen in isolation; most work will cover a number of codes simultaneously and no recording will be required once the Independent Work section had been initiated.
Minimum workplace requirements:
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Dedicated repair shop with kitchen, locker room, facilities, work benches, general tools and specialized tools. (See catalogue)
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Access to a PC
I'm compitent
Before tradesmen and tradeswomen are considered qualified, they must successfully complete a trade test. However, individuals cant simply go to a trade test centre and participate in a trade test.
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).
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. Although the OPE industry has a registered trade under the name "Small Engine Mechanic" it has not yet developed the complete training proses to SAQA requirements. This is and process driven by the needs of industry. Trade tests could be performed by and Assessor at the workplace of an learner or at the trade school.
Meet The Team
Deon van der Merwe
ANDREAS STIHL Senior Technical advisor
Vacant
Subject expert