Frequently Asked Questions
Pricing for the ARPL assessment isn’t one-size-fits-all — it depends on your trade and the amount of training the assessment recommends for you, so costs can vary from one candidate to the next. One thing worth knowing: if your assessment shows you need GAP closure training, your ARPL retake afterwards comes at no additional cost. For an accurate quote based on your specific trade and experience, get in touch with our Johannesburg team — we’ll confirm exact pricing before you commit to anything.
The ARPL assessment itself can be booked almost immediately once you meet the minimum requirement — 3 years’ relevant work experience in your trade, or just 18 months if you hold an N6. Once assessed, you’ll typically receive your serial number around 2 weeks later. If the assessment recommends Trade Test Readiness training, this takes roughly 4 weeks, with your actual trade test happening immediately after. In total, most candidates move from ARPL assessment through to sitting their trade test within 4–8 weeks, although your official Red Seal certificate can take a further 3 months to be issued and printed by the QCTO. Training doesn’t need to be attended consecutively — at Qualitas, you can work through the process according to your own availability.
This will depend on the outcome of your ARPL assessment. Candidates who are ready to progress may be advised to complete Trade Test Preparation or Trade Test Readiness Training to practise the practical skills and equipment required for the trade test.
If your ARPL assessment identifies gaps in your skills or knowledge, you may be recommended for Gap Closure Training before progressing. This gives you an opportunity to address the areas identified during your assessment and prepare for the next stage.
You need a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in the trade in which you wish to qualify.
The ARPL assessment evaluates your existing skills, knowledge and work experience to determine your trade test readiness. The trade test is the practical assessment used to demonstrate your competence in your chosen trade. If gaps are identified during your ARPL assessment, additional training may be recommended before you proceed to the trade test.
The term “ARPL trade test” is often used when referring to the process of accessing a trade test through Recognition of Prior Learning. However, the ARPL assessment and trade test are separate stages. The ARPL assessment takes place first and determines whether you are ready to progress to the trade test or require additional preparation.
An ARPL assessment evaluates the skills and knowledge you have gained through previous work experience to determine your readiness to progress towards a trade test.
The prices of the courses differ across trades and duration of training. Remember this is subject to change based on the outcome of the assessment.
- I have experience in more than 1 trade, can I apply for a trade test in both? No. You will need to wait 6 months before applying for the second qualification.
- Where is the red seal certificate from? The QCTO prints all red seal certificates. If you would like to confirm the legitimacy of your certificate, you can do this by calling the QCTO and giving them the certificate number.
We prefer it if you pay when you start your courses. We do not recommend paying in advance before receiving a serial number or booking as it can sometimes take longer than anticipated.
We do not offer weekend classes. Our training is full time Monday-Friday.
The process can take anything between 4- 8 weeks. A trade test certificate can take a minimum of 3 months to be sent to us from QCTO:
ARPL booking: can be booked upon your availability (almost immediately if you fit the criteria)
Serial number: ±2 weeks after ARPL assessment
Trade Test Readiness: ± 4 weeks upon receipt of serial number Trade testing: immediately after the last day of trade test readiness Certificate: ± 3 months after trade testing
- I cannot be available for 6 weeks or the duration recommended That’s perfectly fine. At Qualitas we are accommodating to all your needs and time constraints/limitations. You do not have to attend your programme consecutively (all at once). You are welcome to attend according to your availability. We do encourage at least a few times a week or a week a month so as to not extend the programme too long and to cover content thoroughly.
In this case you can provide an affidavit.
- I am self employed, does my letter count? Self employed candidates’ experience does count towards a trade test application. You will need to provide an affidavit stating you are self employed but you must also get at least 3 statements in the form of affidavits, from people who you have rendered services to.
- I am a foreign national, can I apply for a trade test? Yes. As long as your work permit is valid for longer than 6 months, you can apply for a trade test. Make sure you meet the rest of the requirements too.
- Can I do preparation and trade testing only? The only trade you can do this for is Auto-electrical. All the other trades we offer require the candidate to first do a compulsory ARPL assessment. If, however, you have completed your ARPL assessment at a different center and would like to make use of our other services, you are welcome to, as long as you provide evidence of the completion of the ARPL as well as the recommendation enclosed with it.
- I only need 1 week of training, when can I start? The ARPL assessment will give us a recommendation and indication of how many weeks of training you will need. Training can refer to both gap closure training and/or trade test preparation. Therefore any trade that requires an ARPL assessment means you will
A service letter is a letter from the company you are employed with, which states how many years you have been working there as well as all the tasks you have experience in or do on a daily basis. This letter must be on the company’s letterhead and must be signed and stamped.
Qualitas does not sponsor apprenticeships privately. We may sometimes receive funding where candidates are funded by the government or other organizations for an apprenticeship program which runs for 3 years. Please note these types of programs are not recurring or scheduled. They may become available at any time. You can keep tabs on facebook where we post updates or make announcements if a new opening or program becomes available.
We do not offer learnerships.
- A minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience
- A service letter from your place of work proving this experience – Copy of your CV
- Certified copy of ID.
However, if the candidate has an N6, then they only need 18 months of workplace experience in order to do a trade test.
For training, a candidate must be a minimum of 16 years old and must have a grade 9. We do however recommend obtaining an N2 as this will be beneficial to the training. Please note that these requirements are for welding, electrical, diesel mechanics and motor mechanics and Not auto-electrician.
Auto-electrical does not yet have an ARPL assessment. In this case you must meet the minimum requirement of 4 years’ relevant experience after which you will submit the relevant documents for us to apply for a serial number and you will come for trade test readiness only and then proceed to do the trade test.
In the case of a corporation or even the candidate wanting a guideline or recommendation as to how many weeks of preparation they will need. We do offer a pre-trade test assessment.
In the event you need to do gap closure, you will be required to retake the ARPL assessment after you have completed the gap closure training for the recommended duration (the ARPL retake will be at no additional cost). We will then apply for your serial number after which you will return to Qualitas for your trade test readiness preparation and then proceed to do your trade test.
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“Qualitas is the BEST place to be, the focus it’s not only on your trade but you are given a chance to develop in other key areas, engaging your self with dedication handwork and passion with the right attitude is how u Learn, to become a Real Artisan a jack of all trades and my Assessor, with the whole Management team, welcomed me with warm hearts. I’ll forever remain grateful for all Skills acquired through Qualitas”
Edward Ramokolo
Service SETA rescue project
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