Printer's mechanics are responsible for the installation and maintenance of printing machines and other equipment in printing companies. Due to technological advances this work has become very specialized and an important part of the industry.
Printer’s mechanics mount, install, maintain, repair, move and rearrange a wide variety of machines and equipment. These mechanics assemble, install and test new machines, or parts of machines to integrate their operation with existing machines.
Printer’s mechanics have to complete their work quickly and efficiently, because downtime on a printing machine can lead to huge production losses. It is also necessary for these mechanics to be extremely cautious because negligence can lead to injuries.
Schooling & School Subjects
Diploma: Southern African Printing College
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:
1. An apprenticeship is a fixed contract between company and apprentice, ranging in duration from between 18 months and 4 years. At the end of the contract, the apprentice writes a trade test leading to professional certification.
2. A learnership is a structured learning programme ranging from about a year to 3 years. A learnership comprises theoretical and practical training. Practical training is conducted on site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets experience whilst training.
3. TVET colleges offer theoretical training to prospective artisans via the new National Certificate Vocational (NCV). During this 3-year programme (levels 2 to 4), learners complete a school-leaving certificate (NCV) similar to the new National Senior Certificate (NSC) in schools. They are also exposed to a practical workshop component.
All learners are required to complete a practical internship under the supervision of an experienced artisan. As an alternative to doing the full qualification, a learner can apply to do a skills programme at a TVET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.
For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest TVET College. TVET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MerSETA or ChietaSETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme
Printing Industries Federation of South Africa (PIFSA)
575 Lupton Drive
Halfway House Midrand
Gauteng 2191 South Africa
Tel: (011) 287-1160
www.pifsa.org
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