DCD MARINE (Pty) Ltd (a division of the DCD GROUP (Pty) Ltd), is a safe,

responsible shipyard with a proven track record in providing reliable, quality,

world class services and facilities to the oil and gas sectors.

The critical shortage of artisan skills in the Oil & Gas/Heavy

Engineering/Ship Repair/Marine sector has prompted DCD MARINE to

engage in artisan development:

DCD MARINE’s multi-skilling training programmes benefits both

learners and industry alike.

The aim of training should not only be to provide skills for current

staff, but also to equip learners with the ability to undertake

sustainable career paths.

Training needs to be focused on the ability to marry the

theoretical and practical components integral to any job.

STRATEGIC PILLARS

DCD GROUP recognised the need for increased training and skills

development within the industry.

In order to create the right skills and develop our communities our

strategy is aligned to promote training/artisan development in

increased quantities and disciplines.

“Maximise productivity and increase our capabilities

by creating the right skills for our sector and through

the development of the communities in which we operate.”

DCD MARINE’s Training Centre of Excellence was opened in May 2010

and comprises of a welding school, pipe welding area, grinding and

gas cutting assessment & training area, and a classroom area for the

theoretical component of the courses.

To further promote development and as a means to increase our

capabilities:

DCD GROUP initiated a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), Khula Nathi

Empowerment as an Enterprise Development initiative.

Khula Nathi Empowerment with the purpose of facilitating & funding

training has appointed MCD Training Centre (Pty) Ltd as its

preferred training provider - with the official launch on the 8th of

August 2012.

R 35 million has been invested by DCD GROUP in Khula Nathi

Empowerment of which R 4 million has been reinvested in the

training centre to date.

DCD MARINE is a world-class shipyard and recognises the need for

adequate training that is aligned with unit standards. Our courses are

aligned with SAQA’s unit standards and we are currently undergoing a

full accreditation process.

MCD Training Centre (Pty) Ltd has its principal accreditation with

Merseta both as a training provider & learnership training.

Accredited as a provider of Education and Training for the Training and

Conducting of Summative Assessments (Trade Testing), means that

trade test assessments can be carried out at the training centre.

All training materials comply with the relevant SETA unit standards.

Training is provided from entrance levels NQF2 up to artisan level NQF4

in all the disciplines offered.

Training Centre of Excellence

Facilities include 20 individual welding cubicles –

each fully equipped with high-tech welding equipment.

15 cubicles are occupied by the learners while the remaining

5 are utilised for coding purposes.

Facilities also accommodate a further 4 gas burner students &

5 grinder students.

Various welding processes are covered in the eight-module

course, focusing on;

safety, welding equipment, welding terminology, welding positions, types

of welded joints, weld imperfections, welding symbols, welding processes

& consumables.

The gas cutting and grinding training/assessment comprise

theoretical and practical modules.

Other training modules include rigging & pipe fitting.

Training Centre of Excellence

Training Centre of Excellence

Modules are completed theoretically and practically:

Learners undertake a knowledge test to determine whether any

gaps exist in their understanding of that particular module.

Opportunities to rectify the problems are given to ensure that

they are fully competent in the subject matter.

The welding course can be completed within eight months &

includes an eight-week practical mentoring and coaching

component which is undertaken in DCD MARINE’s workshops, on

site and on a vessel.

A Blasting & Coating Simulator was also built to re-enact confined

spaces on-board vessels and rigs.

The main focus of the Blasting & Coating Simulator is to train &

upskill individuals to blasting and coating standards, efficiencies

and techniques.

We train our people to be world class in this competitive

blasting and coating market in order to work safe, with a good

quality and an on-time delivery job.

DCD MARINE focuses on training and artisan development as an

industry necessity.

Enabling our second intake of welding learners since the opening

of the training centre.

Having qualified 30 coded

welders, as well as

38 learners for gas cutting,

198 for grinder training

and we have undertaken

793 coding assessments.

Apprenticeships:

Within DCD MARINE 15 apprentices were recently enrolled in

various disciplines i.e. Boilermaker, Rigger, Welder, Fitter & Turner.

Although mandatory grants as awarded by MERSETA have only

allowed funding for 25 apprenticeships within the DCD GROUP, a

total of 89 apprentices are currently enrolled in the DCD GROUP,

thus not limiting much needed skills development in South Africa.

Challenges of Skills Development:

The use of proper assessment tools during the selection and

recruitment process is crucial – finding trainees with the right

attributes for technical training

Incorporate more practical training to fast track learning

Multi-Skilling

Supervisory Development

Volatile economic climate influence training and development

initiatives

Challenges of Skills Development:

Retaining the skill upon completion of an apprenticeship or

welding programme and turnover of high potential employees –

serves as part of succession planning and developing individuals

into higher technical positions.

DCD MARINE has a reputation of multi-skilled and experienced

employees that are recognised as ambassadors of their trade

within the industry.

Competent learners are placed on a labour database within

DCD MARINE’s recruitment centre.

We train and multi-skill unemployed people who are paid for the 40

to 80 hours that they receive training or assessments. This enables

each learner to become employable, not only within DCD MARINE,

but within the industry in general.

The benefit to DCD MARINE’s clients is exhibited by employees who

are multi-skilled to the highest levels. Since skills are constantly

being refreshed and upgraded, all employees working for DCD

MARINE are able to easily undertake even the most difficult tasks.