South Africa: Training Manager (Technical – MERSETA and QCTO) – Alberton posted by MECS Africa

About the Role

MECS Africa is seeking an experienced Training Manager (Technical) to join our team in Alberton. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing the academy strategy, managing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the academy strategy, annual training plan, and budget aligned to plant/operations capability needs and business strategy.
• Establish academy governance: policies, procedures, training standards, assessment moderation, and document control.
• Manage stakeholder engagement with Operations, HR, Quality, EHS, Engineering, Finance, unions/employee representatives (where applicable), and external partners.
• Maintain an academy calendar and resource plan (facilities, trainers, tooling, equipment, training vehicles/components, simulators, and classroom capacity).
• Ensure training interventions support productivity, quality, safety, compliance, and customer/OEM requirements.

• Conduct training needs analysis using skills matrices, competency frameworks, performance data, audit findings, and production/maintenance plans.
• Design, update, and standardize learning pathways for production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and support functions (technical and behavioral as required).
• Develop and maintain training materials (lesson plans, presentations, practical job aids, SOP-linked checklists, assessments) ensuring version control.
• Align programs to accredited/non-accredited requirements, internal standards, and customer/OEM specifications.
• Implement blended learning approaches where applicable (classroom, practical workshop, on-the-job coaching, eLearning, assessments).

• Oversee delivery of technical, compliance, and operational training; facilitate sessions as required based on capability and capacity.
• Plan and manage assessments, trade tests/competency signoffs (where applicable), and ensure fair, consistent assessment practices.
• Coordinate internal subject matter experts (SMEs) and external providers; ensure service levels, quality, and safety compliance.
• Evaluate training effectiveness (attendance, knowledge/skills transfer, behavioral change, KPIs impact) and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain accurate training records, attendance registers, assessment evidence, and certificates in line with audit and retention requirements.

• Plan, implement, and manage apprenticeship/learnership programs, internships, and workplace experience placements aligned to scarce and critical skills needs.
• Coordinate recruitment intake requirements with HR, line management, and external partners, support selection, onboarding, and induction.
• Develop rotation plans, workplace logbooks, mentorship/coaching arrangements, and progress tracking for each participant.
• Ensure workplace readiness, discipline, timekeeping, performance management, and learner support in line with company policies.
• Engage training providers/colleges, trade test centres, and accrediting bodies (as applicable) to support learner outcomes.

• Ensure the academy operates in compliance with applicable legislation, regulations, and codes relevant to training and skills development (including but not limited to labour/skills legislation, occupational health and safety requirements, and any sector-specific requirements such as MERSETA and QCTO).
• Manage required submissions, reporting, and supporting evidence to relevant authorities and stakeholders (e.g., MERSETA/skills bodies, accreditation entities, and internal governance forums), ensuring accuracy and on-time delivery.
• Maintain readiness for internal/external audits by ensuring training files, learner evidence, attendance registers, assessment outcomes, and certification records are complete, traceable, and securely stored.
• Coordinate and support accreditation/registration processes for programs, facilitators, assessors, and moderators (where applicable).
• Ensure compliance training is scheduled and completed (e.g., safety, quality systems, environmental, code of conduct), and that refresher cycles are managed.

• Manage academy facilities (classrooms, workshop areas, practical bays) ensuring safe, clean, compliant, and fit-for-purpose environments.
• Control academy assets: tooling, training aids, consumables, and equipment; maintain registers, calibration/maintenance requirements, and responsible use.
• Conduct risk assessments for training activities and ensure appropriate PPE, permits, and safe work procedures are applied during practical training.
• Coordinate contractor access and external training providers on site, ensuring site induction, safety compliance, and supervision requirements are met.
• Implement and monitor housekeeping and 5S standards within the academy environment.

• Lead, coach, and performance-manage academy staff (trainers/facilitators, assessors, administrators) and ensure adequate coverage for operational demand.
• Identify trainer capability gaps and ensure continuous professional development, including assessor/moderator registration where applicable.
• Allocate work, set standards, and monitor delivery quality; resolve escalations and ensure a customer-service mindset.
• Drive compliance with HR policies, timekeeping, discipline, training ethics, and confidentiality requirements.

• Compile and present monthly/quarterly training reports: plan vs actual, cost, attendance, assessment pass rates, certifications, compliance completion, and learner progress.
• Maintain skills matrices and competence records; support workforce planning and succession/talent pipeline reporting.
• Track and manage training-related non-conformances, corrective actions, and improvement initiatives.
• Use feedback, audit findings, and operational