FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WEST RAND AGRICULTURAL TRAINING
INSTITUTE
1.
What is West Rand Agricultural Training Institute?
The West Rand Agricultural Training Institute falls with the Gauteng Department of
Agriculture and Rural Development.
2.
When was West Rand Agricultural Training Institute established?
The Institute is being established in the current financial year and will start
operating from 2012/2013 financial year.
3.
What is the vision of the West Rand Agricultural Training Institute?
To be a nationally acclaimed education and training institution of excellence
within the fields of sustainable agriculture, resource management and capacity
building
4.
What is the mission of the West Rand Agricultural Training Institute?
To promote and enhance sustainable agricultural management and socioeconomic growth through delivery of quality AET (FET, HE, skills development and
capacity building) to produce trained and competent entrepreneurs and
practitioners in the agricultural and related fields
5.
What are the strategic goals and objectives of the West Rand Agricultural
Training Institute?
Strategic Goal 1:
Improve current instructional
introduction of practical training.
programs
through
the
The following are the objectives for strategic goal 1.
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Introduction of more practical training into current formal instructional
offerings.
Evaluation of practicals as an integral part of the instructional program.
Syllabi need to be developed for all practical training.
Updating learning material of different instructional offerings to serve the
needs of the clients
Establishment of advisory committee
Evaluation and improvement of examination administration
Absolute commitment to learners
Ensuring quality AET related to national, sectoral and local context
Improves and controls experiential training
Strategic Goal 2:
Expansion of instructional programs offered and broadens
the base of programs.
The following are the objectives for strategic goal 2.
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Introduction of new accredited and related FET instructional programs
Introduction of learnerships
Introduction of accredited short course programs
Expansion and improvement of informal short courses
Development and implementation of market related HET programs
Negotiations with other institutions of higher learning to formalise linkages
Absolute commitment to learners
Strategic Goal 3:
Ensure good and effective governance
The following are the objectives for strategic goal 3.
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Ensure quality management
Update and implement institutional structure
Develop, update and implementation of policies and procedures
Development and implementation of job descriptions and work plans
Sustain an effective Human Resource Management program
Development, implementation, evaluation and regular revision of
strategic goals
Strategic Goal 4:
Community involvement
The following are objectives for strategic goal 4.
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6.
Project development in community:
Involvement of staff
Involvement of learners
Skills training and capacity building
Sustainable project management
Where is West Rand Agricultural Training Institute located?
The West Rand Agricultural Training Institute is is located 24 kms away from
Mogale City Local Municipality and 5 kms from Magaliesburg which is on the
Koster / Rustenburg Road. The location of the Institute is known as Carmel Estate
which falls under the West Rand District Municipality. The nearest Railway Station
is Magaliesburg.
7.
What are the different courses, the categories to whom they are offered by the
Institute and the periodicity of training?
A list of all courses to be offered by the Institute is covered in the Prospectus. The
Institute offers the following training courses:
Short Courses: (From 2012/2013 Financial Year)
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Plant Production Short Courses
Animal Production Short Courses
Agri-Business Short Courses
Agro-Processing Short Courses
Extension Methodologies Workshops
Mechanisation Short Courses (e.g. Interactive (tractor and) implement
demonstrations
National Certificates (From 2013/2014 Financial Year)
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Mixed Farming:
Level 1
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Mixed Farming:
NQF Level II
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Plant Production:
NQF Level I
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Plant Production:
NQF Level II
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Animal Production:
NQF Level I
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Animal Production:
NQF Level II
National Diploma (From 2014/2015 Financial Year)
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To be done in partnership with any of the Universities in Gauteng.
•
8.
National Diploma: Plant and Animal Production
What is the course fee for training?
The following incidental charges will be applicable:Farmers Group Training (Short Courses)
National Certificates:
9.
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Free
To be determined.
Whether any stipend is offered to the trainees?
No stipend will be paid for the duration of their training and to & fro fare for
attending the training programme will be reimbursed.
10.
Whether boarding and lodging facilities for trainees are available, if so at what
cost?
No accommodation to trainees will be provided free of cost. When training is
taking place outside the Institute, the Department will provide accommodation.
11.
How to apply for the training courses?
Application and prospectus for course can be obtained from offices of the local
authorities throughout the Province from the Assistant Director: Structured
Agriculture Training:
Germiston Regional Offices:
3rd Floor ABSA Building
Cnr Odendaal Street and Victoria
Germiston
011 821 7700
Randfontein Regional Offices:
7 Main Reef
Cnr Maugham Str
Randfontein
011 411 4300
Pretoria Regional Offices:
590 Vermeulen Str
Arcadia
Pretoria
Vredehuis
012 684 9100
The advertisements are made in the newspapers. Candidates interested in this
course may apply for admission on plain paper giving full details, namely: name,
address and technical experience etc. The departmental candidates should
apply through proper channel.
12.
Whether any certificate is awarded after completion of training?
As part of training, tests are conducted and certificates are awarded to such of
the candidates who successfully complete training.
13.
What is the medium of instruction for training?
Training instructions are imparted in English.
14.
Whether minimum and maximum age limit is prescribed for undergoing training
courses?
There is no age limit but preference will be given to women, youth and people
with disabilities.