{"id":486,"date":"2024-06-26T14:51:22","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T14:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/tvet\/?page_id=486"},"modified":"2026-09-16T14:47:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T14:47:42","slug":"how-do-i-get-a-government-certificate-of-competency-gcc-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/tvet\/how-do-i-get-a-government-certificate-of-competency-gcc-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Government Certificate of Competency (GCC) is a statutory certificate for engineers who take legal responsibility for machinery. It is required for certain appointments under the Occupational Health and Safety Act in factories and under mine health and safety law in mines. There are two kinds, issued by two different government departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two types of GCC<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/th>GCC Factories<\/th>GCC Mines<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Who issues it<\/td>Department of Employment and Labour (Chief Inspector)<\/td>Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate<\/td><\/tr>
Where it applies<\/td>Factories and other workplaces under the Occupational Health and Safety Act<\/td>Mines and works under the Mine Health and Safety Act<\/td><\/tr>
Disciplines<\/td>Mechanical or electrical<\/td>Mechanical or electrical<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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There is no “GCC Marine”. Engineers on ships need certificates of competency issued by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), which is a separate system.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Who can write the GCC Factories examinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may only write once the Commission of Examiners has approved your application. Approval depends on your engineering qualification and on relevant, verifiable practical experience with machinery, some of which must be in a factory environment. Applicants typically hold an engineering degree or diploma, or a National N Diploma or N6 in a mechanical or electrical field together with a trade and workplace experience. Because the rules are detailed and applied case by case, check the current requirements with the Department before you apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Get the current application forms from the Department of Employment and Labour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Attach certified copies of your ID, qualifications and academic records.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Attach detailed letters from employers describing your practical experience with machinery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Submit the application and wait for the Commission of Examiners’ decision.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. If approved, register for the examinations, which are written in two sittings a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. After passing, apply for the certificate to be issued.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Preparing through a TVET qualification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n