The Department of Employment and Labour issues the following Certificates of Competency:
Certificate of Competency as Mechanical Engineer (Factories)
Certificate of Competency as Electrical Engineer (Factories)
We refer to these certificates as the GCC Factories. You will then be a Certificated Engineer in terms of the General Machinery Regulations & the Certificate of Competency Regulations.
The need for the GCC Factories has its legal context, and there are five steps for you to follow before you can refer to yourself as a Certificated Engineer:
Step 1 - Meet the GCC Factories exam entry requirements
Step 2 - Apply to write GCC Factories exams
Step 3 - Prepare for the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
Step 4 - Register, write & pass the GCC Factories plant engineering & OHS Act exams
Step 5 - Apply to be issued with the GCC Factories
The purpose of this post is to provide information on how to obtain your GCC Factories once you have passed the GCC Factories plant engineering and OHS Act exams.
Who issues the GCC Factories?
The Chief Inspector issues the GCC Factories. The Chief Inspector will only give the GCC Factories once the Commission of Examiners recommends that the certificate be issued to you.
When will the Commission of Examiners recommend that the GCC Factories be issued?
The Commission of Examiners at the Department of Employment & Labour will only recommend you to the Chief Inspector if you have met all the GCC Factories requirements.
These are requirements stipulated under the General Machinery Regulations and the Certificate of Competency Regulations. These include:
Having the prescribed qualification and experience to be accepted to write the GCC Factories exams
Obtaining the letter of acceptance to write the GCC Factories exams
Registering to write the GCC Factories exams with an approved TVET college
Writing and passing the GCC Factories plant engineering and OHS Act exams within the prescribed three years
Sending the TVET college official results to the Commission of Examiners and formally applying for the issue of the GCC Factories
Where do you send the request to be issued the GCC Factories?
You must send your GCC Factories request to the Commission of Examiners using one of the following addresses:
The postal address details:
The Secretary
Commission of Examiners Department of Labour
Private bag X117
Pretoria
0001
The physical address details:
215 Francis Baard Street
Pretoria Central
Pretoria
0001
You will need to send the Commission of Examiners the following documents with your request:
Certified copy of identity document
Certified copy of the statement of results
Certified copy of the GCC Factories letter of acceptance
A formal letter requesting for your GCC Factories
Make sure the TVET college statement of results meets the following requirements:
Must be on the TVET college's official letter
Must be signed by the relevant head of department or appropriate college official
Must be date stamped
Must clearly state the GCC Factories subjects and the marks obtained
How long will it take to receive your original GCC Factories?
It may take anywhere between 2 and 8 weeks.
How can I follow up on the progress?
You can email the Department of Labour official administering the process.
On the date of publishing this article, the email to send your progress is leema.mofokeng@labour.gov.za.
Remember to give the Department of Labour some time to process your application. Use the above-estimated timelines.
Conclusion
Writing and passing the GCC Factories plant engineering and OHS Act exams do not mean you automatically become a Certificated Engineer.
You still need to request the Commission of Examiners to issue you with your GCC Factories.
The Chief Inspector issues the GCC Factories at the Department of Employment and Labour. The Chief Inspector will only give the GCC Factories once the Commission of Examiners recommends that you get issued the certificate.
You must send the relevant supporting documents and a formal letter to the Commission of Examiners. The formal letter can be any format and must stipulate that you request your certificate having passed the GCC Factories exams.
It is important at this point that you review: