Recently accredited by the National Artisan Moderation Body as an official assessment centre, the FLS Training Academy in Chloorkop, Gauteng, says it is expanding its role in strengthening mining sector skills across Africa and beyond, from apprentices to graduate engineers

“This accreditation allows us to conduct full testing for three vital trade categories: fitters, turners and fitter-and-turners,” explains FLS Training Academy head Steve Parkinson. “It means we can now train, assess and qualify both FLS apprentices and those from other companies in the region, creating a regional hub of technical excellence.”

Established in 2018, FLS says its training academy has become central to the company’s business strategy and a cornerstone of its social responsibility commitments. Beyond producing a pipeline of skilled artisans, the facility helps ensure that the company maintains its BBBEE Level 1 status and advancing its Women in Mining initiative.

“We are proud that over half of our learners are women,” says Parkinson. “It is part of our commitment to diversity and empowerment, ensuring that technical careers - especially in traditionally male dominated industries like mining - are accessible and attractive to everyone.”

The Chloorkop facility accommodates between 60 and 90 learners, offering programmes from apprenticeships and learnerships to graduate internships, employee development and customer training. Digital technologies are used where available, including ‘virtual reality welding’ using equipment that records results as if a conventional welder were being used.

“Our technical apprenticeships focus on trades such as mechanical fitting and metal machining, providing practical, real-world experience across the FLS workshop, machining and field services departments,” Parkinson says. “Learners spend their first 11 months at the facility gaining foundational skills before moving into operational environments.”

The academy collaborates with private vocational training college Sol-Tech, hosting millwright apprentices for practical field experience. The facility’s two-year commercial apprenticeships, also  known as learnerships, include specialisations in supply chain, information technology, business administration and health and safety.

“Our apprentice programme has become well recognised within FLS, to the extent that we have been requested to assist other regions with their apprenticeship programmes,” he says. “There is also scope to deploy our apprentices in other FLS service centres globally, as and when required.”

The company notes that is collaborating with the Engineering Council of South Africa to become an accredited training facility for the development of professional engineers, aimed at producing graduates for careers in the mining and general engineering industries.