GCC Factories Plant Engineering Exam Preparation Programme

Overview

The GCC Factories plant engineering exam is difficult and contains a large amount of content. Often, GCC Factories Candidates feel anxious about the exam because of the volume of work and are confused about where to start studying, what to study, and how to prepare for the exam.

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The Palucraft GCC Factories Plant Engineering Exam Programme helps remove anxiety, saves learners' studying time, and provides a convenient way of preparing for the exam. We achieve this through a 16-week programme that provides a realistic study plan and numerous resources to make exam preparation easier.

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Our GCC Factories Plant Engineering Exam Programme goes beyond just preparing and passing the exam. We also have a special emphasis on how to fulfill the role of the GMR 2.7(a) or 2.1 once you obtain the GCC Factories.

2025 Intake Closing Dates

Semester 1 closing date: 10 February 2025

Semester 1 start date: 11 February 2025

Features and Benefits

South African Corporations trust us to help their Engineers, Technicians, and Artisans obtain the GCC Factories.

We have helped employees from Eskom, Astron Energy, De Beers, Sasol, Afrisam, Illovo, ArcelorMittal, SAB, Saint-Gobain, and many more corporations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are the Online Classes conducted?

The GCC Factories Plant Engineering Exam Programme is delivered over 16 weeks and consists of:

• Five (5) live online classes aimed at delivering the theory content and how to deal with exam-type questions.
• Five (5) revision classes aimed at coaching students on answering exam-type questions.

There is a total of ten (10) classes that the student will have to attend.

The classes are conducted via Teams Webinar from 6 PM to 9 PM, as per the schedule.

Benefits:

• Prepare for the GCC Factories Exams anywhere in South Africa and the world
• Reduce the traveling risk and time
• Study in the comfort of your home or office
• Save on traveling, accommodation, and living out costs
• Follow a realistic study plan

What content will be covered?

1. Safety and management
2. Safety management system (ISO 45001)
3. Electricity basics
4. Alternators and generators
5. Transformers
6. Transmission lines
7. Induction motors
8. Synchronous motors
9. Direct current motors
10. Power factor correction
11. Fault current
12. Steam generators (boilers)
13. Compressors
14. Fans
15. Pumps and pipelines
16. Strength of materials
17. Passenger conveyors
18. Material conveyors
19. Rail and road traction
20. Vehicle dynamics

What is the course schedule?

Week 1 - Orientation and safety management

Week 2 - Steam generators (Class 1)

Week 3 - Practice steam generator questions

Week 4 - Electrical Technology (Class 2)

Week 5 - Practice electrical technology questions

Week 6 - Rotating equipment (Class 3)

Week 7 - Practice rotating equipment questions

Week 8 - Theory of Machines (Class 4)

Week 9 - Practice theory of machines questions

Week 10 - Strength of materials (Class 5)

Week 11 - Practice strength of materials questions

Week 12 - Master questions 1 and 3 (applied thermodynamics and safety management)

Week 13 - Master question 2 (electrical technology)

Week 14 - Pre-exam revision (Five classes, Monday to Friday)

Week 15 - Practice exams

Week 16 - Practice exams

Time commitment

You are expected to attend the five online classes as per the schedule and the five pre-exam revision classes.

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Every class will start promptly at 6 PM and end at 9 PM. The classes are delivered fortnightly online via Microsoft Teams Webinar.

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The classes facilitate the basic approach to answering exam-type questions. The theory is delivered via on-demand videos on the Learner Management System (LMS).

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The online option of the programme is a webinar delivered via Microsoft Teams Webinar, and there is no in-person attendance option.

Certification

The GCC Factories Plant Engineering Exam Preparation Programme is an accredited short course with the Engineering Council of South Africa (5 CPD points).

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To claim the full CPD points, you must have an attendance rate of at least 80% (i.e., attend at least eight of the ten classes).

About On-demand Videos

The GCC Factories Programme has a blended approach consisting of live classes, study guides, and on-demand videos to supplement and enhance learning.

The on-demand videos explain the key concepts and provide some examples. We use on-demand videos to supplement the content covered during class. Ordinarily, the class content is summarised, and the on-demand videos are detailed.

What you'll learn

• Exam context & preparation strategy for success
• Important exam content
• How to answer exam questions
• Role of the GMR 2.1 in assuring safety & compliance

Who should attend?

• GCC Factories mechanical or electrical candidates (Ideally)
• Mechanical or electrical engineers, technicians, and artisans with N6​

Applicable industries

• Consumer goods: FMCG, Tobacco, Beverages, and Distilleries
• Energy: Oil, Gas, Energy, and Utilities
• Manufacturing: Chemicals, Automotive, Food Production, Glass, Ceramics, Concrete, Packaging, Plastics, and Paper

Typical employers

• Consumer goods: Unilever, British American Tobacco, SAB, and Distell
• Energy: Sasol, Engen, and Eskom
• Manufacturing: BASF, Toyota, Tongaat Hullet, Consol, Saint-Gobain, Nampak, and Sappi

Career prospects

• Engineering manager
• Maintenance manager
• GMR 2.1 Legal appointment (Engineer in Charge)
• Maintenance or plant engineer

Is the course NQF rated?

The online short courses offered by Palucraft results in a certificate of completion issued by Palucraft.

In line with the regulations of the CHE (Council on Higher Education) the short courses are not aligned to, or allocated NQF levels or credits as the short courses do not lead to full qualifications.

The NQF system is important from an articulation standpoint (moving from one qualification to another). The short courses are designed to offer practical, workplace-relevant skills and not as a vehicle for articulation into qualifications.

Can an employer claim skills development expenditure from this course?

Yes. If the employer pays for his/her employees, they can claim the skills development expenditure in accordance with the Learning Programme Matrix guidelines.

What is the classification of the course in terms of the BBBEE Skills Development Expenditure Learning Programme Matrix?

Course is a Category F (informal training) aimed at continued professional development and a certificate of attendance will be issued.

The employer can claim 25% of the value of the training against the skills development expenditure.

How will the Employer benefit from sending their employees to this course?

Employers will be in a position to comply with the General Machinery Regulation (GMR) 2.4 by having a GMR 2.1 appointee who meets the competency requirements.

Appointment of a GMR 2.1 with the GCC Factories (or BEng + passed the GCC Factories OHS Act exam) is a legal requirement that every employer where :

1. the sum of the power generated by machinery in their premises is above 3000 kW or

2. the maximum demand over a continuous period of 30 minutes is above 10 000 kVA.

Click here to learn more about the GCC factories requirements.

What will be the BBBEE recognition spend for Enterprise & supplier development?

Palucraft has a BBBEE Level 1 recognition level. The recognition spend will be 135% towards the employer's BBBEE scorecard.

Is there a payment plan for the course?

Yes. Our payment plan option is available to individuals only and is as follows:

• Month One Payment: 50%
• Month Two Payment: 25%
• Month Three Payment: 25%