MY FUTURE, MY CAREER

Career guide

Panel Beater

Realistic

Repairs and reshapes damaged vehicle bodywork back to specification, working with metal, filler and alignment equipment.

School subjects

Grade 9 with Mathematics is the SAQA minimum for entry to many trades, though most employers now prefer Grade 12; Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy plus Technical subjects or Physical Sciences help.

How you qualify

An apprenticeship of 3 to 4 years, or a merSETA learnership at NQF 2-4 over at least 2 years, combining college theory (N1-N3 or NCV) with workplace training. **You are not qualified until you pass the Trade Test**, which is managed by the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB) - the trade test, not the college certificate, is what makes you a Qualified Artisan. Recognition of Prior Learning is available for people already working in the trade. Entry requirements differ by employer and college - confirm directly with the institution.

Where to study

TVET colleges plus a host employer; merSETA-accredited providers; trade test through NAMB

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 We do not publish admission point scores here, because a number that is right for one university in one year is wrong for another.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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