Although artisan occupations are
primarily focused on hand skills and practical ability, they are
supported by a substantial amount of general or vocational or
fundamental
knowledge learnt through the basic schooling system or at a
vocational college. To ensure effective throughput and success rates
within occupational learning, strong fundamental
knowledge is required of subjects such as Mathematics, Science,
Drawing and the Technical Language used in the technical working
environment.
This fundamental knowledge will prepare
the learners for effective learning and mastering of the three
occupational learning components which forms part of artisan trade
training,
occupational knowledge, practical and workplace training. The
more generic fundamental knowledge is delivered at Academic or Focus
Schools as well as at Further Education and
Training (FET) Colleges. At present there are numerous options
being utilized for this generic, vocational, fundamental knowledge
including the National Senior Certificate (Matric)
at traditional learning Academic or Focus Schools, as well as the
more technical programmes such as the National Technical Education
Certificate (NATED) or National Vocational
Certificate (NCV) at public FET Colleges. More recently a
National Adult Senior Certificate (NASCA) has also been released for
public comment that offers a further option for this
generic, fundamental knowledge.
At present there is a considerable
amount of work in progress with all stakeholders to identify what is the
best possible national programme that will allow learners to be best
prepared for all the occupations that have been identified by the
National Artisan Moderation Body of the Department of Higher Education
and Training as artisan trades.
The outcomes of this process will continually be communicated to
all stakeholders, in particular the National Career Advisory Services in
order for young people
(and parents in particular) to make informed choices when investing in their career development.