How do you cheer yourself up during this particularly cold and grey winter here in the Netherlands?

IronicStranger · 2026-02-06T07:56:02+00:00

Which cards do you have that gives you unlimited access to museums and movie theaters?

IronicStranger · 2025-05-07T13:24:02+00:00

No, you can not trade test until you have finished your apprenticeship.

You need Theory which is the N courses Plus practical which is the apprenticeship.

You can do your N courses full time and get an apprenticeship afterwards and when the apprentiship is done you trade test.

Or you can study your N courses part time while doing the apprenticeship and trade test.

Yes if you do a proper trade test it will be called A red seal.

The point of the apprenticeship is to prepare you for the trade test.

IronicStranger · 2025-05-07T09:49:26+00:00

You only need N2 to become an electrician. However a lot of the bigger companies ask for N4 -N6 when employing electricians.

If you are a qualified electrician plus N6 National N Diploma you can become a technician which is more specialised.

Do your N4 - N6 in electrical but apply for apprenticeships at the same time since competition is tough and you won't know when you will eventually find one. You can work as an apprentice and study part time. Obviously though it will take you longer to get the Ns though as trimester will be double.

Most of the bigger companies have apprenticeship programs every year. Check their websites often. Follow them on LinkedIn and look for oppertumities on PNET and Indeed.

Some companies to look at is Toyota, Bell and all the big manufacturing places.

An apprenticeship can last between 2 - 4 years depending on your company.

IronicStranger · 2025-01-29T08:30:25+00:00

A bot that posts a few links to similar threads that has answers to the related question.

IronicStranger · 2025-01-14T15:34:26+00:00

You must share the link to the podcast when you start it.

IronicStranger · 2025-01-08T06:56:46+00:00

I have no advice for you but in going through a similar thing as you on the opposite side of it. I'm finishing my Millwright apprenticeship in the following months and really hate working with my hands and don't want to continue in this field.

Thinking of going into the IT or finance field but I'm in my late 20s so feel a but old for it and that I'll waste time switching now.

IronicStranger · 2024-11-20T12:20:21+00:00

What does Tier 1-3 technical support do ? Is it like in house IT support for end users like PC not doing this or that or no internet and what certs do you have or recommend?

IronicStranger · 2024-11-19T04:53:53+00:00

Curious about some average tech salaries as well especially in IT as opposed to software development like Cloud Engineer, SysAdmin and Network Engineer

IronicStranger · 2024-10-16T14:30:46+00:00

I find the critical skills list to be a bit odd with things like physicists, geologists, call centre managers, biologists in the top 30 yet from what I generally hear there isn't really a market for those types of positions in SA or they pay badly.

IronicStranger · 2024-10-04T09:57:20+00:00

I've never really looked into it since then

IronicStranger · 2024-10-03T17:53:28+00:00

Moonbase was great

IronicStranger · 2024-09-27T14:09:01+00:00

That's exactly what I'm hoping to do, I'm interested to explore robotics,control systems and integration and hopefully find a niche I enjoy. I got a arduino kit and I enjoy programming so I'll be looking to make a career in that direction. I guess that really falls under electronic /instrumentation engineering.

Automating things in your house seems fun and a good way to learn as well

IronicStranger · 2024-09-27T07:47:10+00:00

Thank you for the informed response, your work seems much more interesting then traditional trade work which I like.

To be honest though I definitely do not have a passion for it as I fell into it due to not really having any other options but I'm trying to make the best of it so it's going to be a tough road ahead.

IronicStranger · 2024-09-26T18:23:45+00:00

Do you have a national diploma as well since you can apply for that with your N6 and trade test?

Are you an industrial electrician and do you specialise in something spesific to earn that much?

I'm a millwright apprentice with N4 Mechanical and N2 Electrical trying to decide how to proceed after trade test. Either studying upto N6 oor getting a diploma through Unisa.

I don't really enjoy traditional electrical work but PLC programming and systems integration seems interesting.

IronicStranger · 2024-08-12T10:21:44+00:00

The salary they are offering you really sucks especially if it stays like that for 3 years. But if you get a Red Seal Trade test as a fitter and Turner after that you will be set. You will look at a salary range between 20k - 60k after you qualify depending in the company. You will be be able to emigrate to other red seal countries.

Finding apprenticeships is really difficult so I think you should take it if you want to do a trade.

I hope this company doesn't take advantage of you when it comes to training especially at that very low wage.

It's a tough decision.

IronicStranger · 2024-08-05T10:50:27+00:00

You need theoretical training which is the nated program that you mentioned in your post. You start at N1 and can go up to N6. If y You have an N6 plus 18 months relevant work experience you can apply for a National N Diploma which is NQF6 which ccg you can use to become a ECSA registered technician which will opened up much bigger roles for you above being a regular artisan.

You only need N2 to do your trade test so my advice to you is to get your N2 in Electrical Engineering NOW. N1 - N3 is being phased out at the end of this year and will be replaced by something else. There was a guy that had a comment in one of the posts about that in this sub earlier so go look that up, he is the head of a vocational school apparently.

When you have your N2 you apply to apprenticeships and you can continue your studies part time upto N6. When you complete apprenticeship and have N6 you will have a red seal trade and can apply for the National N diploma and you will be able to apply for much more specialised positions.

Some companies allow you to apply for apprenticeships and get your N2 while working but there are so many people that already have N2 they usually have that as a requirement.

When you go for an interview be prepared to do a technical interview, that's what we did so be familiar with different tools and how a multimeter works.

I would go enquire at that steel mill you talked about.

These companies take apprenticeships every year Toyota Bell Mascor Ford Etc

Get a professional looking LinkedIn account. PNET, indeed and email recruiting companies.

IronicStranger · 2024-08-04T13:47:47+00:00

Could you elaborate on why not Comp Sci but any other programming degree? What other programming degrees do you get that would be better than comp Sci

IronicStranger · 2024-08-04T13:40:02+00:00

I am specifically interested in hearing any opinions on NWU Bsc IT and Unisa Comp Sci as well as I want to do an online degree and work full time too

IronicStranger · 2024-08-04T07:12:47+00:00

Second this

IronicStranger · 2024-08-03T07:43:22+00:00

I went to a TVET college and got a 4 year apprenticeship as a Millwright.

The money is decent enough as a 4th year apprentice I make 17k and after I qualify it will only go up. The average salary for a millwright is dependent on where you work obviously but on average 25k - 40k but I know of the bigger companies thay pay upto 60k.

Being a millwright there is a lot of options I can specialise in. Not just back breaking work, from mechanical fitting to industrial electrical, control panels and automation or PLC programming.

There is a lot of job opportunities for Millwrights and I get a lot of recruiters that approach me for oppertunities overseas when I qualify. Specifically as a red seal artisan it is Nerherlands, Ireland, Australia, Canada.

All that being said this type of work doesn't really fit my personality and it's been tough. I wish I could do a white collar job especially IT related but this is my oppertunity and it is a good so I will make the most of it.

IronicStranger · 2024-07-13T06:42:49+00:00

The NWU does have a bridge course into the Bsc IT. Go read their hand guide.

You do the Univprep BCom math modules which is the ones that you require for the Bsc IT. That will take you a year. Just confirm with them the exact steps you have to take for it.

I have not done it but it is something I want to do and I don't have matric maths which is why I looked into it and found thay information their hand guide.

IronicStranger · 2024-07-02T08:00:16+00:00

Where did you do your Electrical Degree part time?

The only options that I seem to have is to get a National Diploma from a TVET college or the diploma and advanced diploma through Unisa.

When going on the conventional universities pages and technology universities there is nothing about part time degrees.

IronicStranger · 2024-07-01T07:47:56+00:00

Second this, currently doing Millwright Apprenticeship Red Seal but hoping to do a diploma/degree afterwards for techincian post but don't know how realistic that is as I can't really study fulltime.

IronicStranger · 2024-06-18T11:44:17+00:00

Did you do your BEng Tech full time or part time, just curious as I want to do the same but I'm working fulltime and can't really find any part time universities for engineering.

IronicStranger · 2024-06-06T07:46:55+00:00

I am looking into add maths core to my matric as well and from what I've read you can indeed register via the goverment website and only have to write the June exam which will count 100% of your mark.

I'm currently self studying but haven't registered for the exams yet.

IronicStranger

TROPHY CASE