Mechanical & Industrial Trades
Monitors and manages aircraft systems as a crew member on aircraft that require a flight engineer.
Flight engineering supports the crew by checking systems such as engines, fuel and electrical or hydraulic supplies. Duties are specific to the aircraft and operating procedures.
Complete assigned checks, monitor system readings, manage authorised system adjustments, respond to abnormalities with the crew, and record technical issues.
You enjoy work that feels hands_on, technical, details and you can handle the trade-offs that come with it.
A simple picture of what this path tends to feel like in the market: how earnings usually grow, how reachable the path is, and how steady it may feel over time.
We are still building and updating this section. Some paths may be incomplete or need correction, especially while the platform is still early. Use this as a starting point, then check current entry requirements, registration rules, providers, and funding options yourself before making a decision.
Builds aircraft systems, performance, procedures, emergency handling, crew coordination, aviation safety, and technical flight operations knowledge.
Typical provider: Aviation training organisation, airline training department, aircraft operator, military aviation path, or approved flight operations provider
Aviation technical, pilot, or aircraft maintenance background may be required depending on aircraft/operator; check current SACAA and employer rules.
These are general places of study to check, split into online or distance options and campus or in-person routes. They may not offer this exact qualification yet; use these directories as a starting point while we build programme-by-programme data.
Study directory
DHET open-learning resources and pathways for flexible study across the post-school system.
Study directory
Official DHET list of public TVET colleges and campuses across the country.
These are official places to start checking for funding. Some are broad, some may be more relevant to this field, and most depend on current application cycles and eligibility rules.
Funding contact
Official DHET directory for Sector Education and Training Authorities and their learnership, bursary, and skills programmes.
Funding contact
National public skills funding that often supports large training and employment-linked programmes.
These are extra options to investigate beyond formal funding. Ask employers, training providers, and industry bodies whether they offer bursaries, internships, learnerships, sponsored training, or entry programmes.
Funding route
Work-linked training and stipends in sectors that use learnership models.
Coverage: Training costs and sometimes a stipend.
Best for: Trades, technical pathways, and employer-linked programmes.
Opportunities depend on employer participation and annual intakes.
Funding route
Companies sometimes sponsor scarce-skill study or internship entry routes.
Coverage: Varies by employer and can include fees, mentorship, or practical exposure.
Best for: Business, finance, tech, and industrial pathways.
Competition is high and openings are uneven across sectors.
Funding route
Public and non-profit initiatives that help young people access first work exposure.
Coverage: Short-term support, stipends, placement assistance, or training.
Best for: Shorter pathways and first-step job access.
Useful for momentum, but not a full funding solution on its own.
We do not yet have a clear South African demand source for this path, so for now we are using official occupation records to show that it is still a recognised kind of work.
That means we can still show you this path, but we are leaning more on official occupation records than on a direct South African demand source for now.
Adds supervised crew procedures, aircraft systems monitoring, performance calculations, abnormal procedures, documentation, and cockpit resource management.
Typical provider: Airline, cargo operator, military aviation environment, aircraft operator, simulator centre, or supervised flight operations employer
Aircraft systems foundation plus operator training, medical/crew requirements, and supervised operational sign-off.
Develops aircraft type-specific competence, recurrent checks, simulator assessments, licence/rating compliance, and operator authorisation.
Typical provider: SACAA-regulated licence path, airline/operator training department, simulator provider, aircraft manufacturer training, or military aviation path
Check current SACAA and operator requirements; flight engineer roles are aircraft- and operator-specific and may be limited on modern fleets.
Study directory
Official DHET resource showing which TVET colleges currently offer occupational and trade-focused programmes.
Study directory
Official DHET list of CET colleges and community learning centres around South Africa.
Study directory
Official register of private colleges for non-university qualifications and college-level study.
Study directory
Official QCTO provider guidance for accredited occupational qualifications, trades, and skills pathways.
Funding contact
Free national platform for young South Africans looking for learning, skilling, and work opportunities.
Funding contact
Many public and private institutions run their own bursaries, merit awards, hardship funds, and payment support offices.