WHO ARE WE?
The Tooling Centre of Excellence (TCOE) is a state of the art world-class facility specifically established to directly respond to Tooling Industry needs by offering Toolmaker and related Occupational programs, e.g. Apprenticeships, Part Qualifications, Skills Programs and Industry Specific Tailormade programs.  The centre is fully accredited by Quality Council for Trades and Occupations [QCTO] with accreditation Number: 05-QCTO/SDP201124114754

WHAT DO WE DO?
TCOE is in the business of skills development in Toolmaking and related programs. We conduct full-time courses eg Apprenticeships, Part qualifications, Learnerships and part-time short courses [Occupational programs].

WHAT CAPACITY DO WE HAVE?
TCOE has both the capability and expertise of training from the basic conventional forms of machining to the most sophisticated Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machining.
All CNC machines are accompanied by dedicated high specification computers that are networked to a further seven high specification computers in a CAD/CAM designing facility.

OUR STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES

• Conventional machining
• CNC (Computerised Numerical Control)
• CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Drawing/Computer Aided Manufacturing)
• CNC Simulation (Milling & Lathe)
• Laser cutting machines
• 3D Printing machines

WHAT COURSES DO WE OFFER?

OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE TOOLMAKER NQF LEVEL 5

Program Overview: This advanced qualification develops highly skilled toolmakers capable of designing, manufacturing, and maintaining precision tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures for industrial manufacturing. Toolmakers combine traditional machining skills with modern CNC technology and CAD design capabilities.

Duration: 4 Years (36-48 months) | Credits: 664 | Work Learning: 24-36 months structured workplace learning | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

What You'll Learn:

• Advanced precision machining techniques
• Tool and die design and manufacturing
• CNC programming and operation (turning and milling)
• EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) wire and plunge operations
• CAD/CAM software for tooling design
• Quality control and measurement using precision instruments
• Heat treatment and material selection
• Jig and fixture design and construction
• Maintenance and repair of production tooling

Entry Requirements

• Grade 12 with Mathematics and Physical Science, OR N3 Certificate with relevant subjects, OR Grade 10 with minimum 5 years relevant work experience
• Strong mathematical and mechanical aptitude
• Exceptional attention to detail and precision
• Problem-solving abilities

Career Opportunities

• Tool and die making companies
• Automotive manufacturing sector
• Aerospace industry
• Injection molding companies
• Metal stamping facilities
• Precision engineering firms
• Mining equipment manufacturers
• Self-employment/own toolroom

Certification: QCTO Occupational Certificate NQF Level 5 leading to Red Seal Trade Certificate

TOOLMAKER PART QUALIFICATIONS - Flexible Entry Points and Skills Development Pathways

Build your career step-by-step with stackable credentials that lead to the full Toolmaker qualification

LATHE OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 3
Duration: 6-9 Months | Credits: 104 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence
Program Focus: Operate conventional lathes to produce precision turned components according to engineering drawings and specifications.

Key Competencies:

• Lathe setup and operation
• Turning operations (facing, turning, drilling, boring)
• Threading and knurling
• Precision measurement and quality control
• Blueprint reading for turned parts

Career Entry: Manufacturing operator, production machinist, general lathe operator

MILLING MACHINE OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 3
Duration: 5-8 Months | Credits: 72 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Operate conventional milling machines to produce precision-milled components for manufacturing and engineering applications.

Key Competencies

• Milling machine setup and operation
• Face milling, slot cutting, and drilling operations
• Work holding and fixturing
• Cutting tool selection and speeds/feeds
• Dimensional inspection and verification

Career Entry: Milling machine operator, manufacturing technician, production machinist

SURFACE GRINDING OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 3

Duration: 6-8 Months | Credits: 80 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Operate surface grinding machines to achieve precision surface finishes and tight tolerances on manufactured components.

Key Competencies

• Surface grinder setup and operation
• Wheel selection and dressing
• Magnetic chuck operation
• Precision grinding to specifications
• Surface finish quality control

Career Entry: Surface grinder operator, precision grinding technician, finishing specialist

MANUFACTURING WORKSHOP ASSISTANT NQF LEVEL 3

Duration: 4-6 Months | Credits: 58 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Provide essential support services in manufacturing workshops, including material handling, basic maintenance, and production assistance.

Key Competencies

• Workshop organization and 5S principles
• Material handling and storage
• Basic machine maintenance
• Tool and equipment care
• Health and safety compliance

Career Entry: Workshop assistant, production support, material handler, trainee machinist

CNC TURNING MACHINIST NQF LEVEL 4

Duration: 10-12 Months | Credits: 139 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Program, set up, and operate CNC turning centres to produce complex precision turned components using advanced CNC technology.

Key Competencies

• CNC lathe programming (G-code and conversational)
• CAM software for turning operations
• Complex turning operations and tool paths
• Tool offset and compensation
• Program optimization and troubleshooting

Career Entry: CNC turner, CNC programmer, precision machinist, production technician

CNC MILLING MACHINIST NQF LEVEL 4

Duration: 10-14 Months | Credits: 148 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Program, set up, and operate CNC milling machines to produce complex precision milled components using multi-axis CNC technology.

Key Competencies

• CNC mill programming (G-code, M-code, and CAM)
• 3-axis and multi-axis milling operations
• Complex contouring and 3D machining
• Fixture design for CNC machining
• Advanced CAM software utilization

Career Entry: CNC milling machinist, CNC programmer, advanced machinist, toolroom operator

EDM WIRE OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 4

Duration: 8-10 Months | Credits: 98 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Operate wire EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) equipment to produce intricate cuts and complex shapes in hardened materials.

Key Competencies

• Wire EDM machine setup and operation
• Wire threading and tensioning
• EDM programming and path generation
• Surface finish optimization
• Complex contour cutting in hardened materials

Career Entry: EDM wire operator, precision toolmaker assistant, advanced manufacturing technician

EDM PLUNGE OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 4

Duration: 8-10 Months | Credits: 98 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Operate plunge/sinker EDM machines to produce precision cavities, forms, and complex geometries in tool steels and hardened materials.

Key Competencies:

• Plunge EDM machine operation
• Electrode design and manufacturing
• EDM parameter optimization
• Deep cavity machining
• Surface finish control

Career Entry: EDM plunge operator, die sink operator, toolroom technician

TOOLING CAD OPERATOR NQF LEVEL 4

Duration: 5-7 Months | Credits: 67 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: Use CAD software to design and detail precision tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures for manufacturing applications.

Key Competencies

• 2D and 3D CAD software proficiency
• Tool and die design principles
• Engineering drawing standards
• Assembly modeling and documentation
• Design for manufacturability

Career Entry: CAD operator, tooling designer, drafting technician, design assistant

TOOLING MACHINIST NQF LEVEL 5

Duration: 2-3 Years | Credits: 457 | Available at: Tooling Centre of Excellence

Program Focus: This comprehensive qualification develops highly skilled machinists capable of operating multiple machine types, programming CNC equipment, and producing complex precision components.

Key Competencies

• Multi-machine operation proficiency
• Advanced CNC programming and operation
• Precision measurement and inspection
• Process planning and optimization
• Quality assurance and SPC (Statistical Process Control)
• Maintenance and troubleshooting
• Blueprint interpretation and GD&T

Career Entry: Senior machinist, production supervisor, CNC specialist, manufacturing technician

Certification: QCTO Occupational Certificate NQF Level 5

STACKABLE CREDENTIALS PATHWAY TO TOOLMAKER

Level 3 Foundation (Entry Level)

Start with any Level 3 part qualification:

• Lathe Operator (104 credits)
• Milling Machine Operator (72 credits)
• Surface Grinding Operator (80 credits)
• Manufacturing Workshop Assistant (58 credits)

Level 4 Specialization (Intermediate)

Add specialized skills:

• CNC Turning Machinist (139 credits)
• CNC Milling Machinist (148 credits)
• EDM Wire Operator (98 credits)
• EDM Plunge Operator (98 credits)
• Tooling CAD Operator (67 credits)

Level 5 Mastery (Advanced)

Complete the full qualification:

• Machinist NQF Level 5 (457 credits)
• OR Toolmaker NQF Level 5 (664 credits)

Flexible Learning: Complete part qualifications individually and stack credits toward the full Toolmaker qualification. Work while you learn and build credentials progressively!

MANUFACTURING
The Tooling Centre of Excellence offer manufacturing services to industry for self-sustainability of the centre.

• CNC Manufacturing [we offer precision CNC machining]
• Laser Cutting [ Specialised Acrylic Laser cutting and Acrylic Trophy Manufacturing]
• 3-D Printing

WHO ARE OUR SOCIAL PARTNERS?

• National Tooling Initiative (NTI)
• KZN Tooling Initiative (KZN TI)
• Department of Trade & Industry
• Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA)
• Northlink FET College, Wingfield Campus
• Mangosuthu University of Technology
• Durban Automotive Cluster