Table of contents
1. Introduction
13. Conclusion
1. Introduction
It takes nine steps to obtain the Government Certificate of Competency in Mines & Works. The first step is to have your qualification evaluated by an approved body.
The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) requires all qualifications to be evaluated by an approved body. Unfortunately, the DMR does not publish the official list of "approved bodies," and the only know "approved body" no longer does qualification evaluation on behalf of the DMR.
This post aims to provide some guidelines on how to deal with the matter of qualification evaluation.
2. Qualification Evaluation Explanation Video
3. What is the purpose of the qualification evaluation?
The purpose of the qualification evaluation is to ascertain that your qualification covers the minimum GCC Mines & Works "subjects" required by the DMR.
The GCC Mines & Works "subjects" are engineering topics that form part of a unit standard or module. A better word to use here is topics instead of subjects.
The approved bodies' function is to evaluate whether the unit standards or modules covered by your qualification cover the minimum GCC Mines & Works topics.
The approved bodies will then issue you with a qualification evaluation letter indicating whether your qualification covers the minimum GCC Mines & Works topics required.
Suppose your qualification does not meet the minimum requirements. In that case, the approved body will recommend the unit standards or modules you need to complete.
4. Which qualifications are eligible for GCC Mines & Works?
In general, the mechanical and electrical qualifications are eligible for the GCC Mines & Works. These include:
Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering (heavy current)
Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering
BTech in electrical engineering (heavy current)
BTech in mechanical engineering
National Diploma in electrical engineering (heavy current)
National Diploma in mechanical engineering
Acceptable trade test, and you must be in the position of a National Technical Diploma (N6) in electrical or mechanical engineering
Unfortunately, the DMR does not make exemptions for other forms of qualifications, e.g., chemical engineering, metallurgical engineering, electronics engineering, etc.
5. Are the GCC Mines & Works topics the same for mechanical and electrical graduates?
No, the minimum topics for mechanical and electrical graduates differ depending on which GCC Mines & Works certificate you are pursuing.
The DMR issues two types of GCC Mines & Works:
Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer for Mines and Works, or
Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer for Mines and Works.
Therefore, the minimum topics that need to be covered by your unit standards or modules will depend on whether you apply for the GCC Mines & Works in mechanical or electrical.
6. What are the minimum GCC Mines & Works topics for mechanical applicants?
The minimum GCC Mines & Works topics for GCC Mines & Works mechanical applicants are as follows:
Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Engineering Graphics
Materials Science
Electrotechnics
Strength of Materials
Engineering Materials
Thermodynamics
Dynamics
Numerical Analysis
Engineering Analysis
Professional Practice
Fluid Mechanics
Strength of Materials
Mechanical Design
Structural Analysis
Machine Design
Thermal Machines
Heat Transfer
Fluid Machines
Systems Engineering
Air conditioning and Refrigeration
Manufacturing Technology
Thermal Fluid System Design
Machine Dynamics
Nuclear Engineering
Engineering Management
7. What are the minimum GCC Mines & Works topics for electrical applicants?
The minimum GCC Mines & Works topics for GCC Mines & Works electrical applicants are as follows:
Mechanics, Oscillations, Waves, and Theory of Heat
Engineering Graphics
Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Process Drawings
Materials Science
Statics and Mathematical Modelling
Electrotechnics
Operations Management for Engineers
Operations Research
Thermodynamics
Engineering Statistic
Control Theory
Manufacturing Technology
Decision Support Systems
Systems Engineering
Databases and Web-programming
Business Engineering and Design
8. How do I get my GCC Mines & Works qualification evaluation?
As mentioned earlier, as things stand, there is no published list of approved bodies that can evaluate your qualification.
The only other option left is to do a self-evaluation and submit your application to the DMR. The video above provides guidelines on how to complete your qualification evaluation.
The qualification evaluation templates are also provided above.
9. How can I do a qualification self-evaluation as a GCC Mines & Works applicant?
Here what you need to do to complete a self-evaluation:
Fill in your details
Match your unit standards or modules to the GCC Mines & Works topics
Print the complete form
Sign the form
Attach the form when submitting your GCC Mines & Works application
10. What must I do if my unit standards or modules do not cover the GCC Mines & Works topics?
The best option is to contact your nearest Higher Education Institution or TVET College. Ask to speak to a curriculum/qualification advisor.
You will need to inquire about a unit standard or module you can complete to cover the GCC Mines & Works topic.
11. What if your qualification does not meet the GCC Mines & Works topics requirements?
You need to complete the unit standards or modules that cover the GCC Mines & Works topics/subjects.
12. Foreign qualifications
Persons with foreign qualifications need to get it evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
SAQA needs to issue a letter confirming the NQF level and the equivalent South African qualification aligned with the foreign qualification. You will still need to send the SAQA letter, foreign qualification, and academic record to an approved body. The approved body needs to issue the GCC Mines & Works qualification evaluation letter.
13. Conclusion
Step one of the journey to obtaining the GCC Mines & Works is having your qualification evaluated by an approved body.
Unfortunately, the list of approved bodies is unavailable, and the last know "approved body" no longer does GCC Mines & Works qualification evaluation.
The only option left is to complete a GCC Mines & Works qualification self-evaluation. You can then submit your self-evaluation with your GCC Mines & Works application.
Since there is no qualification evaluation approved body, the worst that could happen is that DMR will dispute some of your unit standard or module allocation.