TECHNICAL
ACUMEN
Courses with a technical focus include mechanics, welding, construction, architecture & design, plumbing, and electrics.
Course modules are focused on providing students with practical skills that are immediately tested and applied in real-life scenarios.
*Safety in the workshop environment*
Mechanics
The content of the module includes:
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Overview of a vehicle and things to know about it
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Glossary of terms
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Engine and engine cycle (Including practical stripping & reassembly of old engine).
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Ignition systems: spark plugs, injection
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Battery & charging systems
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Cooling systems
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Transmission (Including the stripping & reassembly of a simple gearbox; diff overview with stripped & complete diff)
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Suspension
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Fuel system
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Brakes
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Steering (Including stripped steering box overview)
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Tyres - damage & wear. Changing a wheel
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Routine checks
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Fault finding
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Complete vehicle check & basic repairs
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Servicing (If available)
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Mechanical Project (If available)
Welding
The content of the module includes:
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Oxy-acetylene gas welding & bracing and manual metal arc welding
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MIG/MAG welding
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TIG/TAG welding aluminium, mild and stainless steel
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Safety precautions & management
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Basic weld inspection (identification of types of metals, prepartion for welding, melting temperature & parent metal properties)
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Tools & equipment
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Basic technology & welding symbols
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Joint design (butt, fillet, corner, single V, double V, single bevel butt, horizontal & vertical joints)
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Basic weld inspection (identifying weld faults, cracks, undercutting, porosity, electrode contamination, unequal lengths)
Construction
The content of the module includes:
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Gain a basic understanding of the construction industry
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Planning a job
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Gauging, concrete, cement mortar
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Constructing a block wall
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Plastering
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Setting out basics
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Foundations & casting a solid floor (types of foundation, dealing with sloping ground)
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Providing temporary support (fitting a lintel or frame)
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Fitting door or window
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Optional projects (building structure eg solar shower or renovating houseing for the needy)
Architecture and Design
The content of the module includes:
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Planning and design stages of construction
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Objectives
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Building materials
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Sketches of buildings (Isometric - crating, Conventions)
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Orthographic sketching (Floor plans, Elevations)
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Foundations
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Walls & wall openings (Windows, Doors)
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Roofs, classifications
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Estimation of quantities
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Drawing to scale - dimensions
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Symbols
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Production of basic complete plan
Plumbing
The content of the module includes:
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What is plumbing?
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Tools, safety & waterborne diseases.
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Plumbing principles, their functions & application.
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Trap seals.
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Types of pipes.
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Common Faults.
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Drainage & damaged pipes.
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Basic water supply systems.
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Drainage systems.
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Faucets/taps.
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Valves.
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Sinks.
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Showers & baths.
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Toilets/Water closets.
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Simple sewage systems.
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Practical installation and removal of simple plumbing systems on a sample wall (Including drainage).
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Source supply to a header tank.
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Shower system with both hot & cold supply.
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Sink System.
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Toilet System
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Practical projects (If available)
Electrics
The content of the module includes:
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An introduction to the basics:
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What is electricity?
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Producing electricity.
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Electrical terminology.
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Characteristics of electricity (voltage, amperage, resistance & wattage).
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Why electricity is dangerous and electrical safety.
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Earthing.
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Producing electricity using a battery.
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Producing electricity using electromagnetic induction.
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Direct current (DC) vs Alternating current (AC).
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Solar energy production and system overview.
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Electrical supply & distribution (Main supply to household supply).
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How a transformer works.
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Electrical circuits.
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Electrical control and safety devices (Switches & fuses).
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Types of circuits (Series vs Parallel & Radial vs Ring).
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Wiring diagrams & symbols.
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Electrical testing & fault finding.
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Electrical maintenance.
Practical Wiring & Circuits (Including wiring diagrams):
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A simple circuit with one light and a switch.
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A simple circuit with one plug.
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A series circuit with two lights and a switch controlling both.
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A parallel circuit with two lights and a separate switch for each light.
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A radial plug circuit in parallel with two plugs.
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A ring circuit with two plugs.
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A combination circuit with two lights in parallel and one light in series. Each light must have its own switch and must not affect each other.
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A 2-way switch circuit for one light.