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Instrument Mechanician
An instrument mechanician manufactures and repairs instruments and recalibrates old instruments. The instrument mechanician plays a vital role in ensuring that automatic processes and plant systems operate correctly and efficiently.

The control of nearly all manufacturing processes depends on instruments that may be electrical, mechanical or hydraulic, which are responsible for measuring the pressure, temperature, position, level, mass or flow of solids, fluids and gases. Should the plant processes not operate according to specifications, the instrument mechanician diagnoses the fault and carry out repairs as quickly as possible.

Instrument mechanicians are trained to design, manufacture and repair almost any kind of instrument, whether electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, chemical or optical. To design specific research instruments, these mechanicians work according to sketches and instructions from scientists and engineers.

Satisfying Aspects
- the opportunity to specialize
- a variety of work tasks
- the challenge of designing new instruments
- a chance to become self-employed

Demanding aspects
- the possibility of eyestrain resulting from doing detailed work
- the possibility of accidents or injuries on the job
- working overtime during emergencies
- sometimes working under noisy, warm, humid or dangerous conditions

Requirements
An instrument mechanician should:
- be at least 16 years old;
- have mechanical insight;
- have a good understanding of physics and mathematics;
- be thorough and precise;
- be accurate and patient in doing complicated work;
- have initiative;
- have dexterity and steady hands;
- have good eye-hand coordination;
- have good eyesight.

School Subjects
Grade 9 Certificate.
Some employers prefer higher qualifications.

Compulsory Subjects: None
Recommended Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences

Training
There are three ways to qualify as a registered artisan:

1. An apprenticeship is a 4-year contract between company and apprentice, comprising a 12-week theoretical training, which includes 4 subjects at national exam level.

2. A learnership is a structured learning programme that leads to a qualification in a certain field. The learnership programme includes a theoretical and a practical component. It usually takes about a year to complete. The training takes place on-site (on the premises of the organisation). This has the advantage that the learner gets on-the-job experience whilst training.

3. FET 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 (this 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 FET College. Skills programmes are short practical hands-on courses.

For more information about qualifications and skills programmes, contact your nearest FET College. FET Colleges are accredited and funded by a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) such as MERSETA or CHIETA. They also receive bursary funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the NCV programme.

Employer
- Telkom
- Transnet
- South African Airways
- Mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering concerns
- Electrical precision tool manufacturing industries
- Heavy engineering industry
- Iron and steel producers and the non-ferrous steel industry
- Such organizations as: Sasol, Mittal Steel, ESKOM, CSIR
- Municipalities
- Self-employment, working independently on a contract basis

Contact
SA Institute of Measurement and Control
P O Box 93124
Yeoville, 2143
Tel: (011) 888-8332 Fax: (011) 888-8332

www.saimcmembers.org.za