Engineering Draughting now available through distance learning

Engineering draughting and design programmes from the acclaimed African Academy will be now be available nationally through distance learning, as from January 2012.  This exciting opportunity now enables more students to be able to study in a field that is considered to be a registered critical scarce skill in the country.

And with the launch of its quality distance learning programmes, students as far afield as Cape Town and Durban can study the one-year Certificate in Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice N4 and N5 and the Certificate in Piping Draughting, or the two-year Diploma in Structural Steel Detailing  through the flexibility of distance learning.

Said Kubera Naidoo, managing director of the African Academy: “These user-friendly distance learning programmes are a phenomenal transference of static learning material to a distance learning concept.  We are serious about assisting our country with the creation of skills and enabling employment, and distance learning is one of the most cost effective and smartest ways to do this.”

The need for more skilled individuals to enter this industry is fast-becoming a reality with the growth in the construction and engineering sector and the apparent shortage of skilled people. This was further endorsed by President Zuma, who recently stated that South Africa will need at least 30 000 engineers in the future, which means that we will require at least 30 000 or more skilled, competent draughtpersons.

Recognised as one of Africa’s leading draughting education and training institutions, the African Academy addresses the critical need for well-trained, skilled draughtpersons and contributes towards reducing unemployment in South Africa.

The distance learning format includes an e-learning component which enables students to register on a dedicated website that includes a platform for interaction with each other and the lecturers on specific subjects.  Learning material is provided on CD with updates made available on the website, while interactive workshops are scheduled with lecturers on Saturdays in the main centres. Regular assessments will be conducted by means of assignments and projects as well as examinations, and all programmes will follow the same academic calendar year as the institution.  Students who want to study the Structural Steelwork Detailing and Piping Draughting should already be in the relevant industry to allow for mentorship within the workplace.

Maths, Science and Technical Drawing are entry requirements for the Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice N4 and sN5 programme. However, the African Academy has catered very successfully for those who do not have these subjects by offering a three-month bridging programme which will be the first part of the students training on Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice. This can be done before entering further programmes offered by the Academy on NQF Level 5, such as Structural Steelwork Detailing and Piping Draughting.

To further complement its distance learning programme, the African Academy will also be offering auxiliary courses in Project Management, Time Management, Change Management, Financials for Non-Financial Managers – all programmes that industry as requested as essential to assist and support graduates in the workplace.  These programmes will also be offered in the major centres. These are one week programmes that can be offered within a company as needed or several companies at one venue.

Numerous training institutions offer programmes and qualifications in draughting, but be aware that not all of these are fully-fledged, accredited, registered programmes.  Instead, these provider-based programmes, known as legacy courses and which have the recognition of the training institute but not necessarily the accrediting bodies, may only be components of an entire programme, which may not render one employable in the industry.

The format of all qualifications in South Africa is governed by the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), an integrated structure of registered standards and qualifications that enables the national recognition of a specific set of skills and knowledge. In most cases, only NQF-registered programmes are recognised by the industry for employability. This means that unrecognised programmes will not guarantee you a job with a reputable company.

Not only is the African Academy accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training and the South African Institute of Draughting, but it is an accredited draughting training institute listed by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) to offer a nationally-registered draughting programme.

Gain the advantage of a future in an alternative career in draughting, which is registered as a scarce skill in South Africa. For further information contact the African Academy on 011 914 4340 or visit www.africanacademy.co.za