The bridging course is an (NQF level1) standalone programme based on the same Engineering Studies / N-Course curriculum.

Many learners do not choose the correct subjects at school that align with technical careers.

The bridging develops foundational learning in Engineering Maths, Engineering Science, Trade Technologies, and Technical Drawings. Our learners are much stronger entering into their formal N-Courses because of the foundational learning of the bridging course.

At this course level, learners are not required to make a trade selection because Technologies covers the introduction to both Mechanical and Electrical trades. It allows learners to determine which of these is a most suitable choice as a career before starting their formal training. In this time, we test for cognitive ability and functional capacity related to the workplace. The bridging is an internal examination.

An apprenticeship is made up of three components creating a Portfolio of Evidence (POE):
1. College: (theory) N1,N2,N3 (12 months)

Apprenticeships:
2. Training Centre: (practical training) Level 2,3,4 (12 months)
3. Workplace training: Level 2,3,4 (12 months)

Companies mostly offer apprenticeship programmes. In some cases, training centres also provide apprenticeships if they have workplace training agreements in place first. The companies recruit learners who have passed their College N1,N2,N3 stacked together. An apprenticeship ends with a Trade Test.

What does an individual in the Electrical trade do?
An electrical tradesperson installs, maintains and repairs power and lighting in homes and businesses. Some focus on construction or maintenance, while others specialize in both.

Common tasks include:
• Reading technical diagrams
• Installing and connecting wires to circuit breakers, outlets, transformers or other systems
• Using basic electrical tools of the trade
• Repairing and replacing equipment when it breaks
• Making quick repairs, often in small or dark areas
• Fixing motors, generators, and other machines
• Taking proper safety precautions to avoid injury and electric shock

Basic Electrical Theory

Instrumentation and Control Technician (Industrial Instrument Mechanics) install, repair,maintain and adjust instruments used to measure and control industrial processes such as pulp and paper manufacturing and petrochemical production.

What does an individual in the Instrumentation trade do?
• Installs, repairs, maintains, and adjusts indicating, recording, telemetering, and controlling instruments and test equipment, used to control and measure variables, such as pressure, flow, temperature, motion, force, and chemical composition, using precision instruments, and handtools.
• Disassembles malfunctioning instruments or test equipment, examines and tests mechanisms and circuitry for defects.
• Replaces or repairs defective parts, using handtools.
• Reassembles instrument or test equipment, and tests assembly for conformance to specifications, using instruments, such as a potentiometer, Resistance Bridge, manometer and pressure gauge.
• Inspects instruments and test equipment periodically and adjusts calibration to ensure functioning within specified standards.
• May calibrate instruments or test equipment according to established standards.

What does a career in fitting and turning involve?
If you enjoy working with tools, a career in fitting and turning might just suit you. This career path involves fixing machinery, fitting parts and ensuring that equipment runs efficiently. It is all about maintenance and repairs. Fitting and Turning is widely applied to engineering technology, such as in machining, maintenance and assembly situations or circumstances. Fitting and Turning covers land,sea, air and space technology and helps to develop and expand the global economy.

What Does a Fitter and Turner Do?
A fitter and turner maintains and repairs various machinery. They also assemble and fit new components for machinery. They use blueprints to measure and manufacture metal
parts and materials for different machinery and equipment.
Fitters and turners have to ensure that all the parts needed to complete a machine is fitted and in good working order. After assembling new machinery, they monitor, test and repair any faulty parts and fittings that may arise.
Fitters and turners are highly skilled craftspeople who manufacture, construct, assemble and fit components for machinery, vehicles, installations and other apparatus or articles. Fitters and turners first select and mark off the material required according to exact measurements on blueprints, drawings or a model. They then shape the rough piece of metal into its final form with power-operated tools such as lathes, milling, drilling and planing machines. Finally they fit the parts required to complete the machine or article and inspect and test the final assembly for true fit.

Motor mechanics maintain and repair motorcars, buses, trucks and other vehicles. They receive information regarding the faults of the vehicle from owners and take the vehicle for a test drive and use electronic equipment to identify, confirm and locate the problem. Automechanics are professionals that repair and maintain motor vehicles of all types.

An automechanic may choose to provide general repair services or specialize in a system, such as engines or transmissions.
Mechanics are professionals trained to perform repairs and regular maintenance on motorized vehicles. Part of their job involves understanding how internal combustion and diesel motors work, as well as their components, and how to dismantle and reassemble them in order to fix any problems.

Being a Mechanic involves a great deal of hands-on work, they take a direct approach towards problem solving and are not afraid to get their hands dirty in the process.
Mechanics are commonly employed by garages and auto-workshops. They may also work in car dealers, vehicle rental agencies, or in transportation companies providing regular maintenance checks and repairs, or be self-employed, working in their own garages.

Tasks of a Motor Mechanic
• Performing routine checks and service to vehicles.
• Examining and diagnosing malfunctioning vehicles.
• Identifying issues and finding ways to fix them.
• Dismantling and examining engine pieces.
• Requesting replacements and mounting them.
• Providing clients with a report explaining all repairs performed.
• Testing repaired vehicles.

Double trade which includes mechanical fitting and electrical, if you want to know more visit mechanical and electrical.