What is an Artisan and what do they do?
Are you interested in Artisan jobs on Job Mail? If you are good at working with your hands, this may be the right career for you. To succeed in this profession you will need to complete Artisan courses, gain practical experience and pass an accredited trade test.
From what to expect from an Artisan salary to the different types of positions available, you can discover everything that you need to know by reading our blog.
What is an Artisan?
Firstly, let us tackle the question, ‘What is an Artisan?’ An Artisan works with their hands to create functional or decorative items. They are also responsible for installation, repair and maintenance work.
Depending on their specialisation, Artisans can be responsible for making furniture or jewellery. Other types of Artisans include plumbers, electricians and welders.
Types of Artisans
There are two kinds of Artisans which include Section 13 and Section 28 Artisans. Section 13 Artisans are those people who have undergone formal training. Training includes both theoretical and practical components.
To qualify as a section 13 Artisan it is necessary to pass a trade test at an accredited institute. If you fall under section 13, you can benefit from a higher qualified Artisan salary. Section 28 Artisans include individuals who have extensive workplace experience. Individuals who have a N2 qualification as well as 6 years of practical experience can complete a short apprenticeship and trade test to become a section 28 Artisan.
There is a wide range of Artisan jobs to choose from in South Africa. One option is to become a welder. Welders join pieces of metal together. As a welder it is important to know the strength of different types of metals as well as the weaknesses of each metal. During the welding process heat is used to connect pieces of metal. Jobs in this category can be found in the shipbuilding and manufacturing industries.
Another option is to become an electrician. These types of Artisans work with electrical wiring and equipment. Their tasks include installation, maintenance and repair work. As an electrician you can choose to specialise in engineering, construction, mining and aircrafts.
You may want to consider becoming a plumber. Plumbers are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining water systems. Their tasks include liaising with clients, preparing quotes and reading architectural blueprints. They work with pipes, fittings and valves. Plumbers can find employment in private residences as well as in industrial settings.
Artisan Courses in South Africa
To become eligible for Artisan jobs, you will need to follow one of the learning pathways. There are numerous pathways to becoming an Artisan. Artisan courses are offered by FET colleges across South Africa. Training at these colleges ranges from 3 months to 3 years.
Qualifications offered by FET colleges include N1 Engineering studies as well as NCV Mechanical Engineering. Another option is to complete a learnership. Learnerships include practical experience and eventually lead to an Artisan qualification.
A third option is to complete an apprenticeship which includes a theoretical and practical component. Welding and boiler making are examples of apprenticeship. If you already have extensive experience in your trade, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. There are two ways to pay for your training.
Learn more by reading our Learnership, internship or apprenticeship: What you should be applying for.
You can either pay for it yourself or you can look for opportunities to have your training paid for by an organisation. In the case of organisation payments you will need to work for the company in exchange for them covering training costs. The benefit of this option is that you will have secured work after you qualify.
Skills and Characteristics of Artisans
If you want to succeed as an Artisan you will need to be self-motivated and reliable. Whether you are working for someone else or you are self-employed, clients will expect a trustworthy service. As Artisan jobs require you to work with your hands, excellent practical skills are necessary.
As this work is often physical in nature you will need to be healthy and strong. Artisans need to pay attention to detail in order to achieve high standards of accuracy. Many of these positions require an understanding and adherence to safety regulations.
When it comes to knowing what to expect from an Artisan salary, it is important to note that your income will be influenced by your skills and experience. According to PayScale electricians can expect to earn R223 280 per year on average. The average hourly rate for welders is R66.44. The qualified Artisan salary for a plumber is R120 503 per year.
Qualified or looking for new opportunities? Register your CV on Job Mail and start applying for Artisan jobs today!
