A millwright focuses on the repair and installation of mechanical machinery and equipment that is electrically driven or controlled. UniCollege will prepare you to work in the manufacturing industry with technologically sophisticated automated systems that use mechanics, electronics and electrical engineering.
You will learn about the design and development of machinery and the set-up, installation and repair of gearbox-driven motors and equipment used in a factory setting ranging from power generators to assembly line machinery.
You will gain a thorough understanding of mechanical systems and processes relating to bearings, gearboxes, brake systems, pumping systems, drives, axle alignment, pneumatics and hydraulics. Electricity supply in the domestic and industrial environment is also covered.
The UniCollege difference
- A minimum of 40 contact (face-to-face) hours for each full-time subject and 36 contact hours for each part-time subject
- At UniCollege, you can study an additional 5th subject each year if you are a full-time student
- A workplace readiness programme before each level
Browse our Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering courses.
Career Opportunities
This programme will prepare you for many career opportunities in the field of engineering such as:
- Millwright
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrician
- Design Engineer
- Fabricator
- Process Controller or Technician
- Fitter & Turner
- Motor Mechanic and many more!
Course Outline
For each level, the first 3 subjects are compulsory. You need to pass 4 subjects to advance. Full-time students can take an additional 5th subject per level.
- National Certificate N4
Electrotechnics N4
Principles of electricity • DC-machines • AC-Theory • Transformers • AC-machines • Generation and supply of AC-Power • Measuring Instruments
Mechanotechnics N4
Workshop layout • Metal protection • Lubrication • Precision measuring of machine parts • Gear drives • Belt drives • Hydraulic systems • Bearings • Metal cutting machines
Engineering Science N4
Kinematics • Angular motions • Dynamics • Statics • Hydraulics • Stress, strain and Young’s Modulus • Heat
Mathematics N4
Learn how to apply Mathematics in your trade subjects and interpret real world problems in various engineering fields.
Industrial Electronics N4
Kirchoff's Laws • Superposition and Thevenin's theorems • Series and parallel RLC-networks • Q-factor, bandwidth and complex notation • Basic atomic theory • PN-Junction theory • Semi-conductor diodes • Diode applications • Transistors • Amplification classes, coupling methods and feedback • Hybrid parameters • Uni-Junction and field effect transistors • Power control • Operational amplifiers • Function generator and oscilloscope • Transducers
Supervisory Management N4
Supervision and management • Planning, organisation, leading, control • Labour relations • Training and development • Financial compensation • Loss control and industrial housekeeping • Quality control
- National Certificate N5
Electrotechnics N5
Learn how to maintain and operate DC machines at their highest performance level • Alternating current circuits • Operating principles and equivalent circuits of singlephase transformers on and without load • Connecting wattmeters in three-phase systems • Construction, operation and efficiency of single and three phase AC machines and their application • How electricity is supplied to consumers from generation power stations and factors affecting line efficiency
Mechanotechnics N5
Epicyclic gears and gear trains • Reduction gearboxes • Conveyor belts and belt drives • Bucket elevators and bucket conveyors • Rope haulages and aerial ropeways • Elevators • Rail and road traction • Flywheels
Power Machines N5
Thermodynamics and heating of gases • Steam generation • Boiler efficiency • Steam condensors • Air pumps • Combustion of fuels • Compressors • Gas turbines • Velocity diagrams • Governors
Mathematics N5
Industrial Electronics N5
Transistor amplifiers • Oscillators • Operational amplifiers • Measuring instruments and test equipment • Behaviour of an alternating quantity on RC-RL- and RLC-circuits • Power supplies • Single phase control systems • Transducers • Handling CMOS integrated circuits
Supervisory Management N5
Management as a science • Organisation structure • Employment and development of people • Training boards (SETAs) in industry • Occupational health and safety • Report writing and meetings • Production planning and improving productivity • Production costs • Quality control • Loss control • Grievances • Stress and time management
- National Certificate N6
Electrotechnics N6
How to calculate, draw and construct various electrical circuits according to electrical standards and procedures • How to solve electrical problems and adhere to safety standards and procedures • Maintenance and fault finding in electrical circuits and machinery
Mechanotechnics N6
Clutches • Brakes • Line Shafts • Fly Wheels • Reduction gear box • Rail traction and vehicle dynamics • Static and dynamic balancing • Kinematics
Power Machines N6
Gas laws • Entropy • Carnot and Rankine cycles • Steam plant • Nozzles • Steam turbines • Gas turbines • Internal combustion engines • Air compressors • Refrigeration • The Otto cycle
Mathematics N6
Industrial Electronics N6
Transients • Transducers • Ultrasonics • X-rays and radio activity • Automatic inspection and testing • Non-destructive testing • Electronic safety devices • Thyristor power supplies • Electronic power control • Programmable logic control
Supervisory Management N6
Leadership models • Assertiveness • Labour relations • Personnel care • Group dynamics • Conflict • Problem-solving and decision-making • Performing appraisals and management by objectives • Accidents and risk control • Occupational Health & Safety Act and environmental regulations for workplaces • Computers and management information systems
Accreditation and Certification
National examinations are set and administered by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET). Successful students are awarded the following certificates issued by the DHET:
- National Certificate: N4 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66881)
- National Certificate: N5 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 66960)
- National Certificate: N6 Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67005)
Once you have successfully achieved all three N4-N6 certificates and have worked for 2 years (minimum of 2 670 hours) in an engineering environment, your logbook will be submitted to the DHET.
On receiving DHET approval, you are awarded the highly respected National N Diploma: Engineering Studies (SAQA ID: 67043).
Entrance Requirements
Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an appropriate National Certificate (N3) or equivalent