INTRODUCTION
The Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA), established in 2006, is a membership-based organisation with the mission of promoting, protecting and supporting the collective interests of the Tool, Die, Mould and Special Machining industries (TDM Industry) of South Africa, in order to support the growth and development of all manufacturing sectors.
As part of this mission, the Association has entered into a partnership agreement with government (the dtic), the INTSIMBI Future Production Technologies Initiative, to develop programmes to address the needs of the TDM Industry in order to rehabilitate and grow the industry for the benefit of the manufacturing sector.
The Association offers various programmes and benefits to its members through its own project management and implementation agency. These include improvements in efficiency, competitiveness and profitability of the member companies, as well as ensuring that the required skills are available to the members.
PtSA has a co-operation agreement with the Werkzeugbau Akademie (WBA) in Germany which is the leading world partner of the TDM industry in the areas of consulting, further education and research.
PtSA is a member of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association which gives the members access to a number of international associations and member companies, and also has partnership agreements with a number of national organisations for the benefit of its members.
PtSA Management Services (Pty) Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Production Technologies Association of South Africa NPO (PtSA). It is a special purpose vehicle and the operational capacity of PtSA, in addition it is the implementation agency responsible for the facilitation and management of all INTSIMBI FPTI programmes.
INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA
Mission:
Promoting, protecting and supporting the collective interests of the Tool, Die, Mould and Special Machining Industries of South Africa in continual support of the growth and development of all manufacturing sectors.
- PtSA is the only Association which focusses exclusively on the TDM Industry in South Africa
- PtSA has a partnership agreement with government to support the TDM Industry
PtSA Membership Benefits
Through membership of PtSA, companies join the national and global tooling industry fraternity.
Connectivity
- PtSA members have the opportunity to become part of the national and global network of TDM companies.
PtSA is the collective voice of the TDM industry
- PtSA regional executive committees coordinate inputs from members in each region in order to assist with formulating national strategies for engagements with government and authorities;
- PtSA members have the opportunity to participate in interactive dialogue with government and authorities regarding the development of the industry;
- The PtSA partnership agreement with government (INTSIMBI Future Production Technologies Initiative) facilitates dialogue between its own (TDM) industry and government.
Improvement of competitiveness of PtSA members
- PtSA offers an international benchmarking process to its members;
- PtSA facilitates the implementation of productivity improvement programmes in member companies;
- PtSA, through the INTSIMBI partnership agreement, facilitates the funding of selected productivity improvements in member companies;
- PtSA, through the process of improving the competitiveness of companies, facilitates the growth of the supplier base for the benefit of the larger corporates, and in particular the OEM’s.
Training and upskilling programmes
- PtSA developed a number of SAQA approved artisan qualifications and training programmes for the tooling industry;
- PtSA is a provider of toolmaking and machinist training programmes that ensure trained artisans are available to the industry;
- PtSA has accredited training facilities in Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal as the base for these artisan training programmes;
- PtSA short courses are available to its members in order to continuously improve the level of skills within member companies, and in particular with regard to new technologies.
Networking, matchmaking and information programmes
- PtSA hosts regular Networking meetings in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal;
- PtSA has a large and comprehensive database which is utilised for the benefit of members;
- PtSA facilitates Business to Business (B2B) introductions;
- PtSA hosts an annual convention to facilitate interaction amongst members and to assist with the communication of developments in the industry.
Better understanding of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
- PtSA facilitates the understanding of technology developments for its members by means of information programmes, demonstrations, publications and networking;
- PtSA represents the TDM industry at a strategic level in formulating policies;
- PtSA training programmes are continuously adapted to changing technologies.
PtSA facilitates international connections for its members through its membership of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA World)
- Access to over 21 Associations in 20 countries/8000-member companies;
- PtSA hosts attendance at International Conferences organised by ISTMA;
- PtSA organises Trade Delegations.
PtSA promotes sustainable development within the industry to ensure long term growth of the industry
- PtSA facilitates opportunities for members to have access to information, training, workshops, etc. on sustainable development.
Join the Best
Become part of the network of companies which forms the Tool, Die, Mould and Specialised Machining industry in South Africa:
- Participate in the benefits of membership;
- Support the growth of manufacturing in South Africa.
Who is eligible for Membership?
Membership of PtSA is open to any company or organisation involved in the Tool, Die, Mould and Specialised Machining Industries in South Africa, and companies which are wholly dependent on tooling for their production processes:
- as manufacturers;
- as suppliers;
- as support services.
Membership Categories
Industry Membership
For companies actively involved in the design and manufacture of Tools, Dies, Moulds and Manufacturing systems, as well as companies undertaking Specialised Machining and companies which are wholly dependent on tooling for their production processes.
Associate Membership
Generally, for companies which are customers of, or suppliers to, the Tool, Die, Mould and Specialised Machining industry.
Institutional Membership
Generally, for associations, academic institutions or colleges, etc.
Registered Professional Membership
Generally, for toolmakers, technicians, engineers or relevant interested parties employed in the Tool, Die, Mould and Specialised Machining industries.
PARTNERSHIP FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
To strengthen South Africa’s capacity to produce tool, die, mould and special machining skills, the TDM industry, as rep-resented by PtSA, partnered with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) to form the INTSIMBI Future Production Technologies Initiative (IFPTI).
The Initiative was designed to meet the demands of the South African manufacturing industry for high-tech future-orientated toolmaking skills.
The PtSA TDM Powered Toolmaker Apprenticeship Programme is presented by PtSA Management Services (Pty) Ltd.
PtSA, as the Development Quality Partner (DQP), has developed a number of SAQA approved artisan qualifications and apprenticeship programmes for the Tool, Die, Mouldmaking (TDM) and Special Machining industry in South Africa.
How does it Work?
A 4-year apprenticeship that combines:
- Trade Theory (theoretical training)
- Simulated practical workshop training.
- Work experience with participating companies (OJT).
What are the Trades and Qualifications?
- SAQA registered and QCTO and merSETA accredited Toolmaker NQF Level 5 (SAQA ID 103177)
- Tooling Machinist NQF Level 5 (SAQA ID 103142)
THE PtSA TDM POWERED TOOLMAKER APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAMME
MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants must have successfully completed one of the following National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level 4 qualifications:
- Grade 12 with Mathematics (35%), Physical Science (35%) and English (40%)
- NC(V)4 with Mathematics (40%), Physical Science (50%) and English (40%)
- N3 with Mathematics (40%), Engineering Science (40%) as well as Gr 12 or NC(V)4 English (40%)
THE PROGRAMME
The Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker
On successful completion of the Toolmaker Trade Test the student will be awarded The Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker (NQF Level 05) – SAQA ID 103177. The Programme is modular and competency-based (not time-based) with a typical duration of 4 years (full time study) to achieve the Occupational Certificate: Toolmaker.
The design of the PtSA TDM Powered Toolmaker Apprenticeship Programme allows students to enter and exit the Programme at different stages enabling them to complete credential modules over a period of time.
Tooling Machinist
Specialised machining has always been a part of tool, die and mouldmaking. The industry therefore has a significant need for trained machinists. A student who, for any reason, is unable to complete the PtSA TDM Powered Toolmaker Apprenticeship Programme can still obtain a part qualification as Tooling Machinist. This qualification consists of a specific number of conventional and advanced machining credential modules successfully completed by the student.
This allows students to exit at different levels and be employable prior to completing a full qualification. On successful completion of the Tooling Machinist External Integrated Summative Assessment the candidate will be awarded NQF Level: 05 Occupational Certificate: Tooling Machinist (NQF Level 05) SAQA ID 103142.
The Programme is modular and competency-based (not time-based) with a typical duration of 3 years (full time study) to achieve the Tooling Machinist qualification.
National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) Certified Machinist
The NIMS Certified Machinist qualification is an international qualification and forms the core of the tooling and machining qualifications offered by the PtSA TDM Powered Toolmaker Apprenticeship Programme.
On successful completion of the NIMS Certified Machinist Programme the candidate will be awarded the NIMS Certified Machinist qualification. The Programme is modular and competency-based (not time-based) with a typical duration of 2.5 years (full time study) to achieve the NIMS Certified Tooling Machinist qualification.
PtSA Tool, Die and Mouldmaking (TDM) Part Qualification Programmes
PtSA, as the Development Quality Partner (DQP), has developed a number of SAQA approved part qualification programmes for the TDM, Special Machining- and manufacturing industries in South Africa.
- Occupational Certificate CNC Milling Machinist (SAQA ID: 102996)
- Occupational Certificate CNC Turning Machinist (SAQA ID: 103099)
- Occupational Certificate EDM Wire Operator (SAQA ID: 103017)
- Occupational Certificate EDM Plunge Operator (SAQA ID: 103016)
Supporting Comment by the MTMA (Machine Tool Merchants Association):
South Africa is facing a critical shortage of skilled artisans, mostly because artisans are in high demand worldwide, particularly if they have completed the vocational training programmes.
In November 2022, Minister of higher education, science and innovation, Blade Nzimande, indicated that for South Africa to meet the demand of the skilled artisan drain, 60% of school leavers would need to qualify in an artisan trade. It is imperative that this issue is addressed promptly to ensure South Africa can start growing its talent base enough that the allure of overseas careers does not impact our manufacturing and engineering sectors.
It is up to South African industry associations, such as the MTMA, to give these skills development programmes a voice. This is why the MTMA plans to investigate how it, as an association, can strategically partner with the right institutions and help artisan skills development in South Africa in 2023.
For more information on the please see www.ptsa.co.za or contact PTSA on 012 760 0300.
