The GCC (Government Certificate of Competency) for engineers comes in two separate forms. The Factories certificate is issued by the Department of Employment and Labour. The Mines and Works certificate is issued under the Chief Inspector of Mines at the Department of Mineral Resources. Each has its own requirements.
For Factories you need a recognised engineering qualification (BSc, National Higher Diploma or N6 plus apprenticeship), at least two years’ experience, to be 23 and of good conduct, and acceptance by the Commission of Examiners. You then pass Plant Engineering and the Occupational Health and Safety Act paper at 50% or more. The Factories rules are in the department’s information brochure.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- Two Factories certificates exist: Mechanical Engineer (Factories) and Electrical Engineer (Factories), set under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993.
- Examinations are held in June and November.
- Candidates must be accepted by the Commission of Examiners before they write.
- Mines and Works candidates apply to the Department of Mineral Resources for acceptance to begin training.
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Factories. You must show you are 23, of sobriety and good conduct, and meet one of these routes:
- a BSc in mechanical or electrical engineering plus at least two years’ post-graduate experience;
- a National Higher Diploma (T4) or National Diploma (S4) plus two years’ experience, of which at least one year was at a factory;
- an N6 diploma plus an apprenticeship and experience, with at least one year at a factory.
Mines and Works. Eligible qualifications include a BSc or BTech in Electrical (Heavy Current) or Mechanical Engineering, an S-course diploma, or a trade plus N6. You need at least two years’ post-graduate practical experience, at least one year of it at a mine in South Africa, and applicants must be 23. The rules and syllabi set this out.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
The GCC is not an APS-based qualification. The subjects are the examination papers and, for the N6 route, the N subjects you passed.
GCC examination subjects
For Factories the subjects are Plant Engineering (Factories) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993 with its regulations. Mines and Works uses Plant Engineering and Legal Knowledge (the Health and Safety Act and regulations). The pass mark is 50% in each subject.
N subjects required for the Factories N6 route
The N6 route requires a National Technical N6 diploma in mechanical or electrical engineering, with all subjects passed at 50% or more. The brochure lists N3 Engineering Drawing, N4 Engineering Science and Mathematics, and N5 and N6 subjects such as Control Systems, Mechanotechnics and Power Machines. An apprenticeship is also needed. Check the brochure for the exact subject list for mechanical and electrical.
Documents and Application Requirements
Factories candidates apply on the department’s application form to the Secretary, Commission of Examiners, Private Bag X117, Pretoria 0001. Send certified copies of your qualifications and results (minimum 50%), proof of your apprenticeship or trade test where it applies, an employer’s letter of good conduct, proof of two years’ experience on company letterhead, a certified ID and proof of payment. Fees change, so confirm the current amount with the department.
Foreign or other qualifications must be evaluated by the Department of Education Engineering Field of Study; a SAQA or HSRC evaluation alone is not sufficient.
For Mines and Works, apply to the Department of Mineral Resources with SAPS-certified copies not older than three months. Your training is recorded in the Annexure E book. After acceptance you register with a DHET centre and pay examination fees there.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
- Factories: if you do not obtain the certificate within seven years of acceptance, you must re-apply.
- Factories: subjects need not be passed at the same sitting, but the second must be passed within three years. A mark of 75% or more gives permanent exemption from rewriting that subject.
- Mines and Works: the acceptance-to-write letter is valid for two years or four consecutive examinations.
The Factories brochure is dated January 2007 and the Mines and Works rules were approved in November 2017, so confirm current fees and closing dates with the department before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the GCC requirements?
A recognised engineering qualification, at least two years’ experience, age 23, good conduct and acceptance by the examining authority, followed by passing the Plant Engineering and legal papers at 50% or more. The details differ between Factories and Mines and Works.
What subjects are required for the GCC?
The examination subjects are Plant Engineering and a legal paper: the Occupational Health and Safety Act for Factories, and Legal Knowledge on the Health and Safety Act for Mines and Works. The pass mark is 50% for each.
Which N subjects are needed for the GCC?
Only the Factories N6 route lists N subjects, covering N3 to N6 engineering subjects in the brochure, each passed at 50% or more.
Who issues the GCC?
The Department of Employment and Labour issues Factories certificates. The Chief Inspector of Mines issues Mines and Works certificates.
Can I write the examination without approval?
No. Factories candidates must be accepted by the Commission of Examiners first, and Mines and Works candidates must hold an acceptance-to-write letter.
When are the examinations held?
Factories examinations are held in June and November. Confirm closing dates with the department and your DHET college.
Confirm the current rules with the Department of Employment and Labour (Factories) or the Department of Mineral Resources (Mines and Works) before you apply. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.