The construction equipment business has absorbed the majority of the apprentices (34) across its branches, two have been placed at the plant hire business in Jet Park and four to the DAF Truck dealership in Benoni. 
Babcock apprentices deployed to sites
The apprenticeship programme is a three-year qualification comprising Knowledge, Practical and Workplace Modules. Both Workplace and Practical modules are conducted at the BET facility for three months of each year, while Workplace modules take place over nine months each year for the duration of the three-year programme. In total, apprentices spend 27 months of their time at sites, affording them the necessary hands-on experience.
“Upon successful completion of the three-year programme, candidates are prepared for their trade assessments. Once ready, they take their assessments, which qualifies them as Tradespersons, Red Seal and are regarded as qualified technicians,” explains Lesiba Ledwaba, General Manager – Education and Training.
The apprenticeship programme, adds Lesiba, seeks to address the acute shortage of critical and scarce skills required by the business and industry at large. Potential candidates are trained by qualified facilitators, who assist them in acquiring the much-needed qualification.
BET is accredited to offer various Auto and Hot Works apprenticeship programmes. The Auto programme comprises trades such as diesel mechanics, small engine mechanics, heavy equipment mechanics – all accredited by the Quality Council of Trades & Occupations (QCTO). Meanwhile, Lifting Machine Operations (LMO) is accredited by the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) and registered with the Department of Labour.
The Hot Works courses include welding, boilermaking and rigging, among others, which are all accredited by QCTO. The current intake comprises 40 diesel mechanics, 10 LMO trainees, six riggers, two mechanical fitters and seven welders.
“I am proud of the remarkable success we have achieved in recent years. The 100% pass rate at independent trade test centres and the high absorption rate of the apprentices is testimony to the quality of the programme,” concludes Lesiba.
The recruitment process entails four intakes per year – Jan – March, April – June, July – September and October – December. Our apprenticeship vacancies are advertised through community forums and we only accept applications submitted in response to local forum adverts. Unsolicited CVs will not be considered.
