SAISC & DSE School of Draughting

After years in conception, the SAISC/DSE School of Draughting has finally become a reality and opened its doors on 1st October 2007.  This is a joint initiative between the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) and DSE Structural Engineers and Contractors (DSE), the objective being to train the Learner to become a competent structural steelwork detailer, with a good insight into the behaviour of structures together with the ability to design simple connections and to have an all round knowledge of the steelwork industry.

The SAISC/DSE School of Draughting has been launched to help alleviate this dire shortage of detailers, realizing that this problem is not just South Africa specific but is a worldwide phenomenon.  The school is in Germiston operating at DSE and is open for the whole of the steelwork industry.  It is a Section 21 Company with a board of directors, with members from the SAISC, DSE and from the Industry as well as an executive committee.

The school has provisional accreditation from the CETA (Accreditation number 5P53432).  The school offer a National Diploma in Structural Steelwork Detailing (SAQA QUAL ID 48636) NQF level 5.  A recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programme will be implemented during 2010, which would afford existing draughtsmen the opportunity to obtain, through the school, this national diploma.

Entry requirements for the School call for Grade 12 mathematics, coupled with the selection by a specific aptitude test and an interview with the Employer.  The Learner shall then enter into an agreement between the School and the Employer.

The School plans for two semesters plus a practical orientated interval and the whole course is aimed at two years in duration.  Initially, in the early weeks of the first semester, Learners shall experience the basics of detailing by tried and tested methods, using A3 drawing boards, so that scales, perspective, perception and the ability to communicate through clear hand written and precise details are mastered.  all draughting tools and course material including reference books and a full set of personal protection equipment shall be provided for each Learner by the School.

Acknowledging that the computer is now the cornerstone of any drawing office, the Learners shall then upgrade and be fully trained on a 2D draughting, software package coupled with ongoing training of the structural detailing discipline.  Detailing therefore progresses from the traditional drawing board to 2D computer generated drawings.

After completion of this first semester, the Learners will be reasonably capable of detailing steelwork and the intention is to use this interval between semesters for them to form squads and detail real work, which will be thoroughly checked and physically used for production.  Then on to practical experience in the Workshop and on so a site, preferably at their respective employer premises and on a project that is currently being erected.

The second semester syllabus comprises design aspects that a detailer needs to know such as elements of Strength of Materials and Theory of Structures together with an elective subject containing the likes of being trained on the More advanced 3D modelling and detailing software that the Learner's company uses.  Other elective subjects include estimating, quality control and project management.  Facilitators for these design, all computer training and specialist subjects shall be sourced from the Industry.

It is envisaged that after the completion of the two year course in structural steelwork detailing the Learner shall not only be a very competent detailer, will be able to contribute much to the Industry, but will have an all round knowledge of the whole steelwork business, in including all aspects of what happens in the various e=departments of a company that make a structural project successful.