National Diploma: Structural Steelwork Detailing
Overview
National Diploma: Structural Steelwork Detailing Qualification will provide learners with the standards required to satisfy the challenges of participating effectively in the steel construction industry as a structural steel detailing specialist. Skills covered in this qualification relates to the production of structural steel detailing drawings for fabrication and erection of steel structures as well as the understanding of the steel construction industry and how to operate within the legislative, safety and quality systems which govern this industry.
This qualification has been developed to assist with standardisation across the steel construction industry. This will allow a person to register as a structural steel detail draughtsman and lay a foundation for future career advancement to supervisory and management qualifications within the sector. For those who have been in the workplace for a long time, this qualification can be used in the recognition of prior learning process to assess and recognise workplace skills acquired.
Features & Benefits
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The qualification will also give you a recognized CAD software course, accepted by industry at the value of thousands of Rands, a critical consideration for any employer when considering new draughtsman.


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Get exposure to guest lecturers from relevant external companies and organizations both on-campus and online.
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Get job ready with our Workplace Preparation module where you will learn how to compile your own personal work portfolio, enhance your CV, handle yourselves in a design job interview, how to be resourceful in job hunting and managing your online reputation.
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Students get free access to the MakersLab with 3D Printing, CNC Machining and Lazer Cutting facilities.
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Get a free Office 365 Education A1 license, valid for the duration of your studies.

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Access to our online recruitment portal, exclusively available to AIE graduates. Visit www.recruitgraduates.co.za for more.

This programme incorporates the use of Virtual Reality and may include topics such as Introduction to Virtual and Augmented Reality using your Goggles VR Headset, Introduction to the 3D Environment using Virtual Reality, Modelling for Virtual Reality, Preparing your 3D Data for Virtualization and Full Immersion, Design Validation through Virtual Reality, Presenting your data in Virtual Reality.
Admission Requirements
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Assessment
External assessments by an accredited assessor and internal moderation with CETA verification
Hardware Requirements
Please note that you are required to have your own computer for this qualification. AIE, in partnership with Dell and TripleH committed to supplying every student with a Dell laptop to support our DigitalCampus initiative. Available exclusively to AIE students, devices can now be financed with your tuition fees. We provide three models:
- MEDIUMMedium Spec, Dell Latitude 3510, i7, 8GB
- HIGHHigh Spec, Dell Latitude 3510, i7, 16GB
R18 000.00Learn More
The foundation for intense graphic and processor heavy tasks.
10th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U (4 Core, 8M cache, base 1.8GHz, to 4.9GHz), 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare LED-Backlit Non-touch, Camera & Microphone, Power Button with Touch Fingerprint Reader, 8GB,1x8GB, DDR4 Non-ECC, DDR4, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, 1Nvidia GeForce MX230 w/2GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory, 4 Cell 53Whr Express Charge Capable Battery, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
R19 500.00 Learn More
Same foundation, more memory...for those who want to get a little more serious.
10th Generation Intel Core i7-10510U (4 Core, 5.6" FHD WVA (1920 x 1080) Anti-Glare Non-Touch, Camera & Microphone, Power Button with Touch Fingerprint Reader, 16GB,2x8GB, DDR4 Non-ECC, 15.6" LCD Display Back Cover, WLAN, M.2 256GB PCIe NVMe Class 35 Solid State Drive, Nvidia GeForce MX230 w/2GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory, Windows 10 Pro (64 Bit), 1Y Collect and Return Service
Salaries & Skills
* All statistics are derived from www.payscale.com
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Pricing & Payment Options
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Duration
Full Time
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24 months, 257 credits (+/- 12 hours of a week of class time)
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Learning is blended (combination of online & contact time)
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All class based credits are achieved via your study duration at the academy, studio time and project based assignments.
Part-Time & Online-
Part Time = 24 months, 257 credits (1 x 2hrs / Week @ 1 8:00 & 3hrs every 2nd Saturday @ 08:00)
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Online = 24 Months, 257 credits (1 x 2hrs / Week @ 18:00)
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Credits are obtained through a combination of live virtual classes, pre-recorded video lectures and project-based tasks.
*Sessions will be grouped together to lower cost of traveling, however, in some cases classes may not follow this convention and schedules are subject to change. -
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Career Options
- Structural Steel Detailer
- Structural Draughtsperson
- Structural Engineer
- Senior Structural Engineer
- Structural Design Engineer
- Project Manager
- Estimator
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Study Kit
Your study kit is included in your fees and will contain:
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Free WIFI (Unlimited data, On Campus only).
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Autodesk student licenses valid for three years.
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USB 64GB with all required software applications.
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Hardcopy of Red, Blue and Yellow steel books used in the industry
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Stationary including:
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AIE Notepad
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Pencil Case
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Ruler and Pen
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Electronic Study Guides
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Orientation kit including: Student Card, Welcome Letter, Getting Started Guide.
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Access to myAIE student portal and student support team via phone, email and tickets.
*Please note that Autodesk Licenses provided are for Windows OS only and does not extend to Mac.
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- ENROL NOW
What you get
On completion the student will earn:
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• National Diploma: Structural Steel Detailing, NQF Level 5, SAQA ID: 48636, 257 Credits
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• International Certificate: AutoCAD & Autodesk Advanced Steel
myWay Hybrid Learning is a technology mediated delivery method that extends the benefit of flexibility and technology to all students. Our unique and modern approach to learning three main delivery methods

#AnywhereAnytime
Have all your classes ready to be downloaded and watched, anytime, anywhere.

#NoStudentLeftBehind
Never miss a classs because of health, traffic, or transport issues.

#Flexibility
A personalized class schedule, attend class on campus, virtually or both.

Full Time, Hybrid Learning
A traditional method of full time learning with a modern-day add-on. Reach your full potential through our myWay Hybrid Learning Full Time classes. These classes can be attended on campus, virtually or both. This method gives each student the ultimate flexibility to combine on campus and virtual lecturers based on their individual preferences.

Part Time, Hybrid Learning
Designed for the working professional, our part time programmes provide you with the flexibility and benefit of our myWay Hybrid Learning with at home exercises/assignments, campus and/or virtual classes at a manageable schedule and pace. Part time sessions are conducted after hours and some sessions are conducted on Saturdays.

Online, Virtual Learning
We have re-defined online learning. Our myWay Online Learning ensures that the student is supported by technology and people throughout his academic journey. We focus on a blended learning approach, combining online Virtual Classrooms, at home exercises, activities and project-based assignments bundled with fully developed video lectures, all managed by our student learning platform.
Student Testimonials
To Everyone at The Draughting Academy,
Thank you for making my experience at the Academy so memorable! As someone that had no draughting experience prior to attending the academy, I felt very comfortable and truly mentored throughout the course. I learnt a tremendous amount thanks to all the lecturers' patience and guidance, and am now in a position I could never have dreamed of. Thank You!
I have been a Draughtsman for 8+ years and thought that I knew all there is to know about Draughting. All I can say is, “I was wrong”. The Draughting Academy made me a better, more accurate and more sufficient Draughtsman. Thank you for helping me to hone myself into a proficient and more confident Draughtsman. By far the best thing that could ever happen to my Draughting carrier!
Gert Strydom, CAD Operator, Alumni StudentEk wil graag die geleentheid gebruik om almal baie dankie te se vir al die moeite en werk wat in ons gradering in gegaan het. Almal met wie ek die aand gesels het was vreeslik beindruk met hoe dinge gereel was. Die hele kurses was n wonderlike ondervinding en dit was n voorreg om julle almal te leer ken.
Henk Schoeman, Alumni StudentDear Clarisa, Thank you for all your help this past the year. You have been a great help throughout this year. My experience with college has been good overall and you guys have gone out of your way to accommodate me. Distance learning is no joke and you guys have made it a positive experience.Thank you and enjoy your holiday.
Kegan Boddy, Distance Learning StudentThank You. You people are the best.
I am very gratefull for all your help.
Chante Meyer, Proud StudentI would like to take this opportunity to thank the AIE Team for a wonderful open day held this previous weekend. I really enjoyed myself i found it very informative. And Harold did a great job in taking us through the entire presentation. And to add on that, as im looking to enrol for a Software Development Program, i hope i can also be part of the this wonderful Institution, i think there are opportunities of growing and advancing one's Career with in the Institution. I'm totally blown away by the vision and the direction were the Institution is heading and indeed the Future is looking very bright.
Looking forward to being part of the Institution soon!
Allucius, Proud StudentI would like to thank the AIE team for their excellent support.
This makes it really worth to say that my child is studying at AIE.
Keep up the good work!
Yoelandy Barbery, Proud Parent
Career Video
Watch this video to understand a day in the life of a structural steel detailer.

Important Notes
- Price mentioned above only includes the course fees of 1st Year.
Please note that you are required to have your own computer. This can be in the form of a laptop or desktop PC. Should you not have one, we can supply you with a laptop as part of your package. Please note that additional costs will apply. The below shows the recommended specification.
CPU | Intel® Core™ i5 or i7, 2.4 GHZ or more (i7 preferred) |
MEMORY | 8GB DDR3 Memory (16GB preferred) |
GRAPHICS | 1GB Dedicated Graphics Card (NVIDIA recommended) |
HARD DRIVE | 1TB+ HDD |
OPERATING SYSTEM | Windows 10 (64 Bit) |
Theory Modules:
- Module 1: Use drawing equipment and apply drawing techniques to produce detail drawings of basic structural steelwork assemblies and arrangement drawings. Demonstrate understanding of regulations codes and drawing office practices for structural steel detailing. Prepare structural steelwork detail drawings for the fabrication of assemblies for light industrial structures low rise commercial buildings and warehouse. Prepare structural steelwork detail drawings for the fabrication of assemblies for ancillary steelwork for buildings. Demonstrate understanding of the mechanical properties of bolts set screws and welds and their application in the design of connections for structural steelwork assemblies.
- Module 2: Demonstrate an understanding of strength of materials in relation to steel structures. Demonstrate understanding of basic theory of structures and structural behaviour relative to steel structures. Use advanced 3D computer modeling techniques in the production of detail drawings and other data leading to the fabrication of commercial and industrial structural steel projects. Demonstrate an understanding of basic contract planning functions workshop and site procedures for structural steel projects. Prepare structural steelwork detail drawings for the fabrication of assemblies for multi-storey buildings
- Module 3: Design a range of load bearing elements for steel structures. Prepare structure steelwork detail drawings for the fabrication of assemblies for heavy industrial buildings. Engage in sustained oral communication and evaluate spoken texts. Demonstrate an understanding of framing of structural steel buildings and structural behaviour. Design structural steelwork connections. Prepare structural steelwork detail drawings for the fabrication of assemblies for process plants.
- Module 4: Read analyse and respond to a variety of texts. Use language and communication in occupational learning programmes. Represent analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2- and 3- Dimensional space in different contexts. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced theory of structures and structural behaviour relative to steel structures. Compile estimate and quotations for structural steelwork. Control quality in the fabrication assembly and erection of structural steelwork assemblies.
Software Modules:
- AutoCAD
- Autodesk Advanced Steel
Modules covered:
- Preparing for an interview;
- Conduct and Behaviour During an Interview;
- Communication Skills;
- Understanding Legislation;
- Preparing the CV that Everybody Wants to See;
- Using Social Media;
- Starting the Job seeking Journey
- Registering on our recruitment portal
Draughting Practical Programs:
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CampusRegistration Close DateStart DateType
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03 March 202108 March 2021Correspondence
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CampusRegistration Close DateStart DateType
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03 March 202108 March 2021Full Time
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03 March 202108 March 2021Part Time
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CampusRegistration Close DateStart DateType
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03 March 202108 March 2021Full Time
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03 March 202108 March 2021Part Time