Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning

Both employers and employees have over the years submitted various credible reasons for non-completion of apprenticeships to initially the Industry Training Board and later the Sectorial Training Authority (SETA). Provision by way of Section 28 of the Manpower Training Act (1981) afforded opportunity for such employees to apply for a trade test on the basis meeting qualifying criteria.

As a result of greater emphasis on combining applicable work experience with various forms of theoretical type qualifications (such as N-courses, NCV and Technical diplomas), the recognition of prior learning for artisan qualification also known as ARLP (Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning) came into being. The ARPL is regulated in terms of Section 26 of the Skills Development Act (Act 97 of 1998).

ARPL Trade Test Requirements

The qualifying criteria categories are the following:

1. Minimum three (3) years relevant work experience within South Africa and N2 four subjects certificate or equivalent qualification including relevant trade theory. OR

2. Minimum three (3) years relevant work experience within South Africa and Relevant Engineering NC(V) NQF level 3. OR

3. Minimum three (3) years relevant work experience within South Africa and Technical Grade 12 with Maths, Engineering Science and related theory subject. OR

4. Minimum Eighteen (18) months relevant work experience within South Africa, completed of all relevant work experience modules and Relevant Engineering NC(V) NQF level 4. OR

5. Minimum Eighteen (18) months relevant work experience within South Africa and relevant (directly related to the trade theory subjects) N6 certificate or National Technical Diploma (S and N Stream)

6. Minimum four (4) years work experience within South Africa with Grade 9 (Standard 7)

7. Successful completion of merSETA registered NQF Level 2, 3 and 4 trade related learnerships with minimum two (2) years, inclusive of the institutional and workplace components OR

8. Former apprentice who have met the section 13 trade test requirements and their contract got rescinded before qualifying as artisan.

9. Former apprentices under Section 13 terminated before they could qualify for trade test, and either have proven eligibility for Artisan RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) trade test based on acquired skills from the formal training part under Section 13, or have undergone additional approved training to meet the requirement.

Where do you apply for ARPL?

You can now apply directly at MCD Training Centre