Affiliations, Accreditation and Collaborations
SARETEC being a member of SAWEA means that SARETEC is part of the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA), an organization that acts as the collective voice for the windnenergy sector in South Africa.
This membership is significant because it highlights a collaborative relationship where SARETEC, an academic and training institution, and SAWEA, an industry body, work together to advance the wind energy sector.
The partnership is a practical example of how academia and industry can collaborate to address a country’s energy challenges, specifically the need for a skilled workforce to support the transition from coal to renewable energy sources like wind power.
SARETEC’s relationship with SAPVIA is not simply that of a member, but a crucial and collaborative partnership in developing skills and ensuring quality in the South African solar photovoltaic (PV) industry.
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is the representative body for the country’s solar PV sector. Its main goal is to promote, develop, and grow the PV industry. SARETEC is a key training and education institution.
Their collaboration means that SARETEC:
- Is an Endorsed Training Provider: SARETEC is an approved and endorsed training provider for solar PV courses, with its curriculum aligned with the national qualifications and industry standards set by SAPVIA.
- Is a PV GreenCard Assessment Centre: This is a core part of their collaboration. The PV GreenCard is a quality assurance program developed by SAPVIA. It certifies installers who have met specific standards, ensuring that solar PV installations are safe and of high quality.SARETEC is an authorized center where installers can undergo the necessary assessment to earn this certification.
- Contributes to Standards and Qualifications:
SARETEC has been a vital partner in the development and implementation of national qualifications for solar PV installers and technicians. They work directly with SAPVIA and other stakeholders to ensure that the training and skills offered are relevant to the needs of the industry. - Supports Industry Growth: By providing accredited training and acting as a hub for skills development, SARETEC helps address the shortage of qualified professionals in the solar PV sector. This, in turn, supports SAPVIA’s goal of expanding the use of solar energy across South Africa.
In essence, SARETEC’s membership and partnership with SAPVIA signifies a deep, working relationship where an academic institution and an industry association are actively collaborating to build a professional, skilled, and high-quality solar PV market in South Africa.
SARETEC’s ISO 9001 accreditation by TÜV Rheinland means that the South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre’s quality management system has been independently audited and certified to meet the international standard for quality.
This certification is not about the specific technical content of the training itself, but rather about the processes and systems SARETEC has in place to consistently deliver quality services to its clients.
ISO 9001 accreditation demonstrates that SARETEC has an internationally recognised Quality Management System (QMS) in place. It assures students, partners, and industry stakeholders that our processes are consistently monitored, evaluated, and improved to meet global standards of quality.
This accreditation is not only a mark of compliance but also a commitment to continual improvement, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence. For learners, it means their training experience is structured, reliable, and benchmarked against international best practice. For industry, it is a guarantee that graduates are trained within a system that prioritises quality and accountability.
SARETEC accreditattion with GWO means that SARETEC is a certified training provider for the Global Wind Organisation (GWO). This certification signifies that SARETEC’s training facilities, instructors, and courses meet the rigorous, internationally recognized safety and technical standards for the wind energy industry.
By being certified by GWO, SARETEC’s training:
- Ensures Global Standardization: Technicians trained at SARETEC receive qualifications like the GWO Basic Safety Training (BST) and Basic Technical Training (BTT) that are recognized by major wind energy companies worldwide. This allows for a uniform level of safety and technical competence, regardless of where the training was conducted.
- Enhances Safety: GWO standards are focused on safety. The BST modules cover critical areas such as Working at Heights, First Aid, Fire Awareness, and Manual Handling. These are vital for reducing risks and preventing accidents in the dangerous environment of a wind turbine.
- Improves Employability: A GWO certificate is often a prerequisite for working in the wind industry. SARETEC’s certification means that graduates are immediately ready for work on wind farms, both in South Africa and abroad, without needing to repeat basic safety training.
- Builds Industry Trust: The partnership demonstrates that SARETEC is committed to adhering to the highest industry standards,
