Process industry training provider MetSkill is actively involved in the development of the new occupational qualifications for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations under the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).

Benoni, Gauteng-based MetSkill, 100%-owned by MD Rebecca Sands, has worked with both national and international companies since being founded in 2005 and has established itself as a well-respected, professional skills development provider.

In the last year, MetSkill secured contracts to provide process operator training and development to diversified miner Vedanta Resource’s Northern Cape-based Black Mountain mine, low-cost platinum-group metals and chrome producer Tharisa Minerals and diamond miner Petra Diamond’s Cullinan diamond mine, in Gauteng.

“Our main focus is mineral processing skills development and a lot of our work revolves around the provision of occupational qualifications up to National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 4. We provide facilitation, assessment and moderation services,” says MetSkill, an MQA-accredited services provider.

One of MetSkill’s many strengths is the development of site-specific, up-to-date learning material for clients and the ability to effectively transfer the knowledge into the practical skills used at clients’ plants.

The ISO 9001:2008-accredited company’s scope includes laboratory practice, metal production (smelters) and chemical operations (refineries). “MetSkill is equipped to offer top-quality training services to plants processing all commodities and our experience ranges across gold, platinum, coal, diamonds, iron-ore, heavy minerals, base metals, vanadium and mineral sands.” MetSkill is also qualified to offer the foundational learning curriculum for math and communications.

“Our specialised consulting services also include graduate training programme development, speciality course development and the facilitation of ad hoc high-level technical courses.”

With a staff of seven employees, MetSkill offers training material development, training facilitation, practical on-the-job assessments, theory off-the-job assessments, assessment moderation, training needs analysis, training and skills development programmes, skills development consulting services, mineral processing plant audits and control room operator training.

Occupational qualification provision is also available and comprises skills programmes in mineral processing; NQF Level 2 to 4 certificates in mineral processing; a technical vocational education and training (TVET) NQF Level 4 certificate in mineral processing; NQF Level 2 to 4 certificates in metals production; a TVET NQF Level 4 certificate in metals production; an NQF Level 2 laboratory practice certificate on coal, general and precious metals; and an NQF Level 3 certificate in chemical operations focused on mining and minerals.