Career guide

Instrument Technician

Realistic

Installs, calibrates and repairs the instruments that measure and control industrial processes - pressure, flow, temperature. Common in plants, mines and refineries.

School subjects

Mathematics and Physical Sciences are strongly recommended; Technical subjects help.

How you qualify

An apprenticeship or learnership leading to an Instrument Mechanician trade test, or N1-N3 then N4-N6 at a TVET college and a National Diploma (NQF 6). This is a designated trade, so the trade test matters as much as the qualification. Entry requirements differ by provider - confirm directly with the institution.

Where to study

TVET colleges; merSETA / CHIETA-accredited providers and employers (trade test)

Before you decide. Entry requirements change every year and differ between institutions. We do not publish admission point scores here, because a number that is right for one university in one year is wrong for another. Confirm the requirements directly with the institution before your subject selection form is signed. In KwaZulu-Natal, applications go through the Central Applications Office (cao.ac.za).

Last verified: 2026-08

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