ARTISAN FOREMAN GRADE A: ELECTRICAL: WORKSHOP

This position is for an Artisan Foreman Grade A in the Electrical Workshop at the Gqeberha Regional Office, a supervisory role within the Department of Public Works’ regional operations. The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the daily functioning of the electrical workshop, ensuring that design, production, maintenance and repair activities are carried out to recognised standards and within the limits of the workshop’s production capability. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with supervisory duties, requiring the foreman to lead a team of artisans and support staff while also being directly involved in the design and fabrication of objects according to client specifications. As a senior artisan, the post holder must ensure that all work is completed efficiently, safely and in compliance with relevant legal and occupational health and safety requirements.

Candidates must hold a minimum appropriate Trade Test Certificate and have at least five years of post-qualification experience as an Artisan. A valid driver’s licence is essential. The role demands a broad technical and managerial knowledge base, including project management, technical design and analysis, computer-aided technical applications, legal compliance, technical report writing, technical consulting, and production and process knowledge. Familiarity with operating workshop equipment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act is also required. In addition to technical expertise, the successful applicant must demonstrate strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, sound decision-making skills, teamwork, creativity, change management capability and financial management skills, as the role involves budgeting, procurement and resource oversight.

The main duties include supervising and producing designs according to client specifications and within production capability, as well as producing objects using appropriate materials and equipment in line with job specifications and recognised standards. The foreman must ensure effective and efficient maintenance by inspecting equipment and facilities for technical faults, repairing electrical equipment and facilities according to standards, testing repaired equipment against specifications, and maintaining an updated register of all maintenance and repair work. The role also requires obtaining quotations and purchasing required equipment and materials, compiling and submitting reports as required, and supervising employees to ensure effective service delivery. This is a hands-on leadership position that balances workshop productivity with quality assurance and compliance.

Applicants should note that this is a public service position, and the appointment is subject to the normal vetting and verification processes. Shortlisted candidates must be willing to undergo personnel suitability checks, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that any foreign qualifications are evaluated by SAQA. The application process requires strict adherence to the prescribed Z83 form and the submission of a detailed CV, with certified documents only requested from shortlisted candidates. Given the volume of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. This role offers an opportunity for an experienced electrical artisan to step into a formal supervisory position within a government regional workshop, contributing to the maintenance and repair of public infrastructure while leading a dedicated technical team.