The electrifying career path school leavers are overlooking
Hands-on careers that offer great promise include mechanics.
Image: Freepik
Not every learner thrives in a lecture hall or behind a desk. For school leavers who prefer working with their hands, solving real-world problems and seeing tangible results at the end of the day, skilled trades are increasingly being recognised as a strong career option rather than a fallback.
As matric learners consider their next steps, careers in plumbing, electrical work, mechanical and construction trades are gaining renewed attention as pathways that match practical ability with real demand in the economy.
South Africa faces a critical shortage of skilled artisans, prompting the government and industry to position trades such as plumbing, electrical work, and mechanical skills as viable career paths for matriculants and younger learners.
According to South Africa’s government, the country aims to train 30,000 artisans per year by 2030 to address shortages across key sectors of the economy.
Trades that the government has identified as in demand include diesel mechanics, instrument technicians, riggers, auto-electricians, millwrights, boilermakers, welders, electricians, plumbers, fitters and turners, mechanical fitters, bricklayers and carpenters.
Over a ten-year period, 172,805 artisans qualified, a figure that remains insufficient to meet demand.
As a result, employers – particularly in construction and mining – frequently import artisan skills to fill gaps caused by persistent shortages.
What artisans earn in South Africa
Earnings in trades vary widely depending on experience, location, specialisation and whether an artisan is employed or self-employed.
Typical earnings cited across industry and labour market research indicate that:
- Electricians can earn from about R7,000 to R12,000 a month at entry level, rising to R15,000 to R30,000 a month once qualified and experienced.
- Plumbers often start at lower levels but can earn more than R16,000 a month with experience, with higher potential for those running their own businesses.
- Apprentices usually earn a stipend while training, commonly ranging between R10,500 and R18,500 a month, depending on the trade and employer.
Self-employment, call-out work and specialist skills can increase earnings beyond these averages.
Qualifications and training pathway
To qualify as an artisan, learners must complete both formal training and workplace experience.
- Enrolment at a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college or accredited training provider for theoretical and practical instruction.
- Completion of an apprenticeship or workplace learning programme, usually over three to four years.
- Passing a trade test at an accredited centre, leading to a nationally recognised Red Seal trade certificate.
Entry requirements vary by programme, but many require matric with mathematics and physical science, or a relevant technical qualification such as N2 or N4.
Where learners can study
Artisan training is offered through a range of public and private institutions.
Public TVET colleges across all provinces offer programmes in electrical, plumbing, welding, mechanical and construction trades. Many of these programmes are eligible for government funding, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, subject to criteria.
Private training centres and specialist artisan academies also offer trade training and trade test preparation, often catering for learners seeking accelerated or focused programmes.
In addition, some learners enter the system directly through employer-based apprenticeships, combining paid work with formal training under SETA oversight.
Hands-on career
Kevin Buret, head of campus at NewGen Trade Schools, has previously stated that there are limited options available to learners who do not thrive in mainstream academic environments.
“Thousands of young South Africans between the ages of 15 and 19 are leaving or drifting through mainstream schooling with limited prospects. Many are labelled as struggling learners or find themselves in environments that do not suit their talents,” Buret said.
Buret said trade-focused education aimed at younger learners could help address both skills shortages and youth unemployment.
“A trade-focused school designed specifically for this younger age group offers a practical and age-appropriate environment that can change the trajectory of learners and help supply the skills the economy needs,” he said.
Economic risk of inaction
Buret said the artisan shortfall would not resolve itself without coordinated action.
“The artisan shortfall will not resolve itself. It requires collaboration between educators, industry, policymakers and communities. Trade schools focused on young people are not the only solution, but they represent a pragmatic and scalable model that can help accelerate progress,” he said.
Buret added that “without enough artisans, the economy cannot grow at the pace it needs to. Without alternative pathways for our youth, the risk of unemployment and exclusion deepens.”
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