Training Centre Manager

Introduction

An international supplier of engineering equipment is launching an exciting new venture in South Africa — a  Technical Training Centre in the East Rand, Johannesburg .

This is a unique  greenfield opportunity  to help build the centre from the ground up, with the freedom to shape its design, operations, and training programs. With strong international backing and further centres planned, the role offers significant  scope for growth, responsibility, and career development

Duties & Responsibilities

Single accountable owner for campus operations — student outcomes, financial performance, MERSETA / QCTO compliance, local employer relationships, and team development.

Key accountabilities

• Cohort delivery to standard. Own the full student pathway — Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced, In-service, Trade-test Preparation, Trade Test — to the published outcome standards.

• Trade-test pass rate. Headline academic metric. First-attempt pass rate is the figure the centre is judged on.

• Placement rate. Track and report placement at 3 and 6 months post-qualification.

• Campus P&L. Operate the centre to the financial model — revenue (segment mix), gross margin, EBITDA against plan.

• Local anchor employer relationships. Personally own the relationship with the 6–12 anchor employers in the catchment. Quarterly contact cycle at minimum.

• MERSETA and QCTO operational relationships. Active relationship with regional MERSETA office and QCTO compliance contacts. Audit-readiness is continuous.

• Team leadership. Lead and develop the team. Foster a quality-first, safety-first culture.

• Funded-seat conversion. Pre-sell at least 60% of seats before announcing each intake. Class fill rate against capacity is a personal metric.

• Compliance and risk. Maintain QMS, OHS Act compliance, safeguarding policies. Own the campus risk register.

• Reporting. Monthly to Group Leadership; quarterly funder reporting via Group; annual board report.

Desired Experience & Qualification

• 5+  years progressive experience in technical training, manufacturing operations, or a combination. Currently operating at HOD, Centre Operations Manager, or equivalent level- this role is a step-up, not a lateral senior hire.

• Red Seal artisan (machinist, fitter, toolmaker, or related) with management progression, OR mechanical / industrial engineering qualification with substantial workshop-floor experience. Can hold a credible conversation with toolroom and shopfloor leaders.

• Has run delivery in an accredited environment — TVET, corporate technical academy, large private training provider, or learnership programme at scale. Working knowledge of QCTO, MERSETA, and SETA grant mechanics.

• Has started-up at least one programme, department, or facility from start. Comfortable with the operational ambiguity of Phase 0.

• Operator first, administrator second. Drawn to the workshop floor. Politically literate without being politically driven. Comfortable with a horizon measured in cohorts and accreditation cycles.

• Finacial/Budget management experience

Package & Remuneration

Market Related Basic Salary

Medical Aid Stipend

Perfomance Incentives based on student Fill, Pass and Placement rates