African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering



African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering was established in 1994 to address the critical need for well-trained and skilled draughtspersons and to contribute towards reducing unemployment in South Africa. The Academy is recognised as one of Africa’s leading Draughting Education & Training Institutions. It  has proven its worth in assisting industry,  by producing graduates of the highest calibre. The Academy prides itself on its excellent pass rate, which is in excess of  80% and consistently places over 80% of its graduates in employment.

The African Academy offers a variety of qualifications and software training courses to cater for the needs of all individuals and companies alike. Please click here to view courses.

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering



We are proud to announce that City & Guilds now endorses the folowing programmes: Structural Steel Detailing, Piping Draughting, Architectural Technology, Project Management and our new Distance / E-Learning platform for the African continent. Our Plant, Construction and Electrical Engineering Design and Draughting courses are also endorsed by City & Guilds.

City & Guilds is a globally recognised and respected awarding organisation and serves as a benchmark for educational quality.

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering Mission:

To deliver as Africa’s Premier Private Draughting & Design Academy:

  • >80% Placement
  • >50% Disadvantaged
  • Greater than 80% pass rate
  • Centre of Excellence

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering Purpose:

The transition of disadvantaged persons from unemployment to rewarding technical careers in the Built environment

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering Values:

  • Relationships
  • Improving Lives
  • Governance
  • High Quality Education
  • Technical Careers

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering History

1994
The African Academy for the Built Environment was founded in 1994. Two patrons, D W Macnamara and C L Yeatman realised that was a shortage of well-trained Draughtspersons and decided that something should be done about it. This resulted in the birth of the African Academy for Computer Aided Draughting with the main purpose of training Draughtspersons. With help from industry computers, software and premises (sponsored by BATEMAN) were acquired. A pilot program of 12 weeks with 8 students commenced in September 1994. This was so successful that they decided to formally launch the Academy. Three 3 staff members were appointed and recruitment of more students took place.

1995
In 1995 the course commenced with 26 students with course material consisting of 3 subjects, namely: Computer Skills, Mechanical and Building Draughting. At the same time, the Academy got curriculum accreditation from the Institute for Mechanical Engineers. Twenty students passed the course and within months, 19 were placed in industry, which was part of the Academy’s primary objectives.


1996
In 1996 the Academy appointed an extra trainer to expand on the scope of training. The course material was changed to suit the N4/N5 Multi-disciplinary Drawing Office Practice material and twenty-seven students enrolled with the Academy. This year brought a few changes – in addition to the new curriculum, the Academy got accreditation from the Institute of Draughtspersons and the Department of Public Works pledged their support to the Academy. A new trainer was recruited from Johannesburg Technical College, equipping the Academy with two trainers (both with N6 qualifications and specialists in their own field). 20 students passed the course and 18 were placed into industry within 6 months.

1997
In 1997 the Academy grew even further and a full-time fundraiser was appointed. The Academy, recognising the strength of the staff, created a Management team consisting of the Lecturers and an Administration Manager. The Academy was registered as a Private Technical College. 27 students were enrolled and all passed, a first for the Academy! 25 students were placed into industry. Commercial Training over weekends was initiated to provide extra income for the Academy.

1998
Another 27 students enrolled and all of them passed. 24 out of this group were successfully placed into industry. The Academy decided to add onto their commercial training by offering a Technical Drawing Bridging course for students who have Mathematics and Science but no Drawing background, and offered this 2-week course to those students. This expanded the recruitment area. The Academy thrived under the supervision of the Management team and the full-time fundraiser.

1999
The Academy commenced in 1999 with 39 students. All passed. 36 out of this group was successfully placed in industry. The Japanese Embassy sponsored new computers for the Academy. This year the Academy appointed a Student Representative Council by democratic vote. They decided to give something back to the community and adopted Kids Haven in Benoni as their project. It was also decided to take on 10% paying students to provide extra income for the Academy, this venture turned out to be very successful with the Academy receiving more applications than they could accommodate.

2000
With the demand from students, the Academy expanded and accepted 60 students to be trained for the year. Special thanks to BATEMAN for sponsoring the bigger premises. For the first time the students could take the national examinations in some of the subjects, as previously it was not allowed to take these examinations on computer. The outcome was that the Academy produced the top students nationwide in 2 subjects and the average pass rate was at least 35% higher than the national pass rate. Fifty two students were placed.

2001
The Academy expanded by running night classes, for people in the working environment. It meant a lot of extra work for the staff. The end result was that the 7 part-time students graduated with the full-time students. The Advisory Council consisting of representatives from industry took on the task of writing unit standards for the Academy.

2002
Due to the success of the previous year, the night classes expanded to 19 students. Once again the Academy did better on the national examinations than the rest of the country. Out of a group of 46 students, 42 were successfully placed into industry. The unit standards for the Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice course were developed by the Academy with the assistance of the Advisory Council comprising of industry representatives.

2003
Out of 48 day class students, 47 secured employment, giving Afican Academy a 98% placement rate. Night classes expanded to 24 students who successfully completed the course. The Academy commenced with registration as a training provider with CETA. The Academy had a reunion for past students, with 220 students attending.

2004
Out of 60 day class students, 58 secured employment. This year we celebrated our 10 year anniversary. The night classes increased to 36 students. This was the Academy’s biggest intake thus far.

2005
Out of the 40 day class students 39 were successfully placed into industry. The night classes grew to 45 students in total.

2006

The Academy decided to take on additional paying students in order to subsidise the disadvantaged students. 129 students graduated in May 2007.

2007
The Academy moved to new premises to accommodate its growth to 252 students in this year, with it’s 1006th student passing through the Academy since its inception.

2008
The Academy has acquired a new wing which was made possible by a R1 million donation from Hatch, thereby increasing its capacity to accommodate in excess of 500 students.

2009
Another international partnering – Bentley Systems have made available an international development specialist to assist African Academy with future course development

2010
Development and finalisation of the new industry related Piping Draughting course

2011
Launch of Distance Learning / E-Learning

2012
Received funding in excess of R4m from Nation Skills Fund, Department of Higher Education.



2013
City and Guilds accreditation and endorsement of the African Academy. Offering the Mechanical Engineering course through City and Guilds. African Academy is doing a learnership for Denel in the Multi Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice course.

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering Courses

 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Level 1 to Level 3) African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Mechanical Engineering field.


Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Level 1 to Level 3) African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Electrical Engineering field.


 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Level 4)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Mechanical Engineering field.


Diploma in Civil Engineering (Level 4)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Civil Engineering field.


 Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Level 4)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Electrical Engineering field.


 Advanced Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Level 5)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Mechanical Engineering field.


 Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering (Level 5)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Civil Engineering field.

Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering (Level 5)

This programme is designed to a assist candidates to carry out what is needed to be a Technician in the Applied Electrical Engineering field.


Advanced Course in Electrical Engineering Design and Draughting

The Programme has been designed to enable you to reach the following outcomes:

Electrical Engineering Draughting and Design provides more practice involving a broader range of skills appropriate for a person to be able to design, budget , manage and supervise a team on a project in construction, manufacturing, process industries etc.


Advanced Course in Plant Engineering Design and Draughting

This programme has been designed to enable you to reach the following outcomes:

Plant Engineering Draughting and Design provides more practice involving a broader range of skills appropriate for a person to be able to design, budget, manage and supervise a team on a project in construction, manufacturing and process industries etc.


Advanced Course in Construction Engineering Design and Draughting

The Programme has been designed to enable you to reach the following outcomes:

Construction Engineering Design and Draughting provides more practice involving a broader range of skills appropriate for a person to be able to design, budget , manage and supervise a team on a project in construction, manufacturing, process industries etc.

Bridging Course N2-N3 (Maths and Science)

This programme is designed for the individual who wishes to go into the Draughting/Engineering Industry but does not have Mathematics and Physical Science on a Matric level.

The course provides the foundation for students to progress into the Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice course or other Engineering fields.


Engineering Drawing N2

This programme is designed for the individual who would like to become a Draughtsperson, but has limited experience or no experience in Technical Drawing but has Core Mathematics and Physical Science on a Matric level. The course provides a foundation for students to progress into the Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office practice course.


National Certificate for Multi-Disciplinary Drawing Office Practice N4/N5

Do you have a passion for the drawing field but don’t know where you want to specialise? This course covers all the different disciplines of Engineering such as Building, Mechanical, Electrical and Structural Steel Detailing. All of this is done on a computer with the latest Draughting software installed.


National Diploma: Structural Steelwork Detailing (NQF Level 5)

Become a specialist in Structural Steelwork Detailing. This qualification has been developed to assist with standardisation across the steel construction industry, it will allow a person to register as a structural steel detail draughtsperson and lay a foundation for future career advancement to supervisory and management qualifications within the sector.

National Higher Certificate: Architectural Technology (NQF Level 5)

Become a specialist in Architectural Technology. The qualification has been developed to provide an introduction to the Architectural profession and its role within the broader context of the Built Environment. It allows for ease of movement to other (related) fields of expertise.


NEW – National Higher Certificate: Architectural Technology (NQF Level 6)

Provide academic knowledge, skills and competencies required to practice in the Built Environment as a “Candidate Architectural Technologist”. After a period of supervised practical experience and / or other requirements as specified by the professional registration body, a candidate may register as an “Architectural Technologist”.


National Higher Certificate: Piping Draughting

Become a specialist in Piping Draughting/Design. The qualification has been developed to assist with standardisation across the piping industry. This will lay a foundation for future career advancement to supervisory and management qualifications within the sector of piping engineering.


Project Management – Phase I

The Skills Programme has been designed to enable you to reach many outcomes, including understanding the 9 knowledge areas of Project Management, understanding the different approaches to Project Management and project costing.


Project Management – Phase II

This programme has been designed to enable you to reach many outcomes, including developing a Scope Statement, Project Charter, Project Quality Plan, Project Risk Management Plan and a Cost Management Plan for a Project.


Project Management – Phase III

This programme has been designed to enable you to reach many outcomes, including developing a Scope Statement, Project Charter, Project Quality Plan, Project Risk Management Plan and a Cost Management Plan for a Project.

African Academy for Computer assisted Engineering Contact

Street Address:
African Academy
15 Reservoir Street
Boksburg East Industrial
Gauteng
RSA

Postal Address:
PO Box 26061
East Rand
1462

Tel: (011) 914-4340
Fax: (011) 914-4342 or 0866303435

Email: [email protected]