MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 1
SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND ALLIED 
TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
20th February, 1970
LEGAL NOTICE 20 of 1970, as amended by Legal Notices 47 and 77 of
1970, 37 of 1971, 124 of 1976, 61 and 86 of 1977, 51 of 1978 and 80 of
1979.
Citation and 
application.
Cap. 343.
1. The title of this Scheme is the Mechanical Engineering and
Allied Trades Scheme - Scheme No. 16 - and shall apply to the
callings of motor vehicle fitter, general fitter, sheet metal worker,
coppersmith, blacksmith, founder, welder and panel beater in any
factory, which occupations are being designated as callings within
the meaning and for the purposes of the Employment and Training
Services Act.
Interpretation.
Amended by:
L.N. 124 of 1976;
L.N. 61 of 1977.
Cap. 252.
2. In this scheme unless the context otherwise requires:
"customary holidays" means the days (other than Sundays)
declared for the time being to be public holidays by or under the
National Day and other Public Holidays Act;
"Director" means the Director of Labour and includes any officer
of the Department duly authorised by him to act in his behalf;
"hours of work" means the time in any day during which
apprentices are at the disposal of the employer exclusive of the
intervals allowed for meals and rest, but inclusive of any period of
instruction specified by the Director or of absence from the place of
business of the employer with the employer’s consent.
Entry 
qualifications.
Substituted by:
L.N. 37 of 1971;
L.N. 51 of 1978.
3. No person may be employed as an apprentice under this
scheme unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Director that
such person has either completed the fourth year of a Secondary
School or the full Trade School Course.
Period of 
apprenticeship.
4. The period of apprenticeship in the callings of motor
vehicle fitter, general fitter, sheet metal worker, coppersmith,
blacksmith, founder, welder and panel beater and the theoretical
and practical training relative thereto shall be those specified in
Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VIII and Part
VIII respectively of the First Schedule.
Undertaking by 
employer.
5. An employer engaging apprentices under this scheme shall
undertake to instruct them and to grant them facilities to be
instructed in the relative calling in accordance with the provisions
of this scheme.
Classes of 
instruction.
6. (1) The Director may specify by notice given in writing to
the employer such classes of instruction which shall not take up
more than ten hours in any one week, which apprentices employed
under this scheme should attend.
(2) Any employer so notified shall afford to any apprentice
employed under this scheme, facilities for attending such classes
throughout the period of apprenticeship.
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MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
(3) Should any apprentice fail to attend any classes of
instruction on any day without just cause, the employer shall be
entitled to make a deduction from the wages of the apprentice
equivalent to one-twelfth of the weekly rate in respect of each half
day or part thereof of default:
Provided that where the apprentice is conditioned to a five
day week the deduction shall be at the rate of one-tenth of the
weekly rate in respect of each half day or part thereof of default.
Hours of work and 
overtime.
Substituted by:
L.N. 47 of 1970.
7. (1) The hours of work of apprentices employed under this
scheme shall not exceed nine hours in any one day:
Provided that employers may employ apprentices on overtime
work with the approval of the Director, who may impose such
conditions as he may deem fit, at the following rates of
remuneration: 
( a ) for all time worked in excess of nine hours daily: time
and a half;
( b ) for all time worked in excess of forty-five hours in any
week, exclusive of any time paid at overtime rates:
time and a half;
( c ) for all time worked on Sundays and on customary
holidays: double time.
(2) Apprentices under 16 years of age may not be employed
between 11 p.m. of any one day and 6 a.m. of the next following
day.
Wages. 8. The wages to be paid to apprentices in the callings to
which this scheme applies shall be those specified in the Second
Schedule:
Provided that an apprentice shall not be automatically
entitled to payment of the relevant higher wage rate unless in the
opinion of the Director he has maintamed satisfactory progress.
Weekly rest. 9. Apprentices shall be granted one whole day of rest in every
calendar week.
Vacation leave.
Substituted by:
L.N. 77 of 1970;
L.N. 86 of 1977.
10. Apprentices shall be entitled, in every calendar year, to -
( a ) all customary holidays with full pay, and
( b ) after three months in employment, vacation leave of
such number of working days with full pay as is
equivalent to the number  of working days as that
particular apprentice should normally attend to work
during a period of four weeks:
Provided that -
( a ) all apprentices who have been in employment for less
than one year shall be entitled to such part of the said
vacation leave as is in proportion to the number of
months in employment; and
( b ) vacation leave may not normally be availed of on any
day when the apprentice is required to attend school
for theoretical instruction.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 3
Sick leave.
Cap. 318.
11. (1) After completing the first six months of
apprenticeship, apprentices shall be entitled to twenty days sick
leave on full pay in every calendar year less any sickness benefit to
which they may be entitled under the Social Security Act:
Provided that a medical certificate certifying incapacity for
work covering the period of absence is produced to the employer,
who may require his medical practitioner to examine the
apprentice.
(2) Apprentices shall not be entitled to the payment of any
wages for the first three days of every period of sick leave:
Provided that the number of unpaid days of sick leave shall
not be deducted from the entitlement of paid sick leave.
Bereavement 
leave.
12. Apprentices shall be allowed two days paid leave on the
occasion of the death of any of the following: the wife, husband,
mother, father, (or the person who at the time was in fact acting as
the mother or father as the case may be), son, daughter, brother and
sister of the apprentice.
Injury leave.
Added by:
L.N. 80 of 1979.
Cap. 318.
13. An apprentice shall be entitled to one year injury leave on
full pay less the full amount of any injury benefit to which an
apprentice may be entitled in terms of the Social Security Act, if he
is injured during the actual discharge of his duty and such injury is
not due to coutributory negligence on his part or to contravention
by him of safety rules laid down by the management.
Amended by:
L.N. 37 of 1971.
FIRST SCHEDULE
(Article 4)
PART I
CALLING OF MOTOR VEHICLE FITTER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of Motor Vehicle
Fitter shall be of three years in the case of apprentices who hold the
Intermediate Certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute in the
trade or who have attained an equivalent standard to the satisfaction of the
Director prior to the commencement of the apprenticeship and of five years
in all other cases.
2. Each of the periods specified in paragraph 1 shall be divided into
eight separate phases during everyone of which the apprentice shall be
given the theoretical and practical training hereunder specified: 
PHASE I
Bench Fitting
Introduction: revision of basic knowledge; safety precautions; fire and
electrical precautions; workshop regulations; types of bench vices;
methods of holding work; practice in the use of hacksaw, hammers, files
and scrapers.
Simple marking out: use of rule, hammer and centrepunch scriber,
divider, try-square, surface gauge, vee-blocks, marking-out table, angle-
plate.
Drilling and Reaming: types of drills; practice in use of hand and breast
drill braces; hand and bench electric drilling machines; use of hand-vice;
method of holding work; types and uses of reamers.
Hand-screw cutting: producing internal threads; drilling and tapping of
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MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
Standard, British Standard Whitworth, British Standard Fine, British
Association and Metric vee-threads; producing external threads; use of
adjustable hand-dies (split or loose dies) and die-nuts.
Tool-Sharpening: angles of cutting edges and joints; sharpening of
scrapers and oil-stones.
Measuring and Inspecting: British and Metric Scales of measurement;
use of rule and caliper, vernier caliper, height gauge, protractor,
micrometer, depth gauge, bevel guage, combination set, feeler gauge, dial-
indicator, surface plate, limit gauges and slip gauges.
Principles and instruction of soldering, brazing and annealing.
PHASE II
1. Corrosion
Detection, treatment of and methods of preventing corrosion. Body
Cleaning and Servicing: washing down; polishing paint-work; cleaning
down engine; topping up battery; inflating tyres; checking radiator and
engine-oil levels; paintwork cleaning and prepartion for re-sprayng.
2. Engine and Chassis Lubrication
Safety precautions when jacking; correct use of oils and greases; repair
and maintenance of tyres; removal, replacement and testing of road
wheels; checking for balancing of road wheels.
PHASE III
Electrics
Safety precautions; servicing, testing arnd charging of batteries;
servicing and testing of sparking plugs; servicing, repair and testing of
dynamos and starters; fault tracing of lighting and auxiliary circuits;
replacmg lamp-bulbs arnd glasses; servicing ignition systems, voltage
control and cut-out.
PHASE IV
Steering and Suspension
Safety precautions; types of steering and suspension; checking of
systems; adjustment for wear; repairs to and replacement of parts;
checking steering geometry; adjustment of wheel alignment; toe-in;
camber angle; king pin and inclination.
PHASE V
Braking Systems
Safety precautions; types of braking systems e.g. cam-operated,
hydraulic, vacuum, servo-assisted, high pressure and air-brakes; practical
training on system chocks, adjustment, repair and testing.
PHASE VI
Transmission Systems
Safety precautions: servicing, repair and testing of clutches, gear-boxes,
universal joints, propeller shafts and rear axles.
PHASE VII
Internal and Combustion Engines
(Petrol and Compression Ignition)
Safety precautions; general instruction on and practical work on engine
maintenance and servicing, including: 
( a ) Use of test equipment to diagnose faults.
( b ) Checking for wear and correct clearance of engine parts.
( c ) Valve and ignition timing.
( d ) Decarbonising, grinding and lapping valves; removing and
refitting guides; adjusting tappets.
( e ) Checking wear and clearance on cylinder bores, piston rings,
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 5
gudgeon pins, crankshaft, bearing and conrod alignment.
( f ) Stripping, cleaning and assemblng carburettors.
( g ) Reboring cylinders, decarbonising and valve grinding
(diesel).
( h ) Stripping engines in correct sequence.
( i ) Refitting and assembly of shafts, pistons and connecting
rods.
( j ) Adjustment to fuel injection pumps.
( k ) Cleaning and resetting nozzles (injectors).
PHASE VIII
General revision specialization in one of Phase II or Phases IV, V, VI or
Phase VII.
Driving instruction.
3. Where the apprenticeship is of three years, Phase I, II, III, IV, V,
VI and VIII shall be of three, three, three, three, three, three, six and twelve
months respectively and where the apprenticeship is of five years Phase I,
II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII shall be of nine, six, six, four, four, four,
twelve and fifteen months respectively.
PART II
CALLING OF GENERAL FITTER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of General Fitter shall
be of three years in the case of apprentices who hold the Irntermediate
Certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute in the trade or who
have attained equivalent standard to the satisfaction of the Director prior to
the commencement of the apprenticeship and of five years in all other
cases.
2. Each of the periods specified in paragraph 1 hereof shall be
divided into six separate phases during everyone of which the apprentice
shall be given the theoretical and practical training hereunder specified:
PHASE I
Basic Knowledge
Workshop Practice and training on the shop floor to cover general
principdes relating to safety precautions; accident prevention; fire and
electrical precautions; first aid; artificial respiration.
Factories Ordinance; care and use of hand tools and special tools, use of
micrometer, marking out tools and methods; use of twist drills; types of
screw threads and where used; screw cutting with taps arnd dies; types of
rivets and where used; making simple riveted connections; riveting tools
and methods of riveting; soldering; use of blow lamps and soldering irons;
types of fluxes used, identification of hard and soft soldering.
PHASE II
Properties of Metals
Composition, physical properties and engineering uses of cast iron, mild
steel, medium and high carbon steel, copper, brass, phosphor bronze, white
metal and light alloy; identification of metals by application of simple
workshop tests; suitability of metals for soft and hard soldering, brazing
and welding.
Corrosion
Safety precautions; recognition of corrosion; its causes and effects;
treatment and prevention; anti-corrosive treatment applied to metals;
temporary treatments applied to metals to safeguard against corrosion.
Heat Treatment of Metals
Safety precautions; reasons for and effect of heat treatment of common
metals; normalizing and annealing effects of carbon and high speed steels;
case-hardening process.
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MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
Drilling Machines
Features of construction and operation of the drilling machines; drilling
through and blind holes; uses of vices, clamps, angle plate, vee-blocks;
method of grinding drills and cutting speeds and feeds; uses of cutting
lubricants.
Shaping Machines
General introduction to shaping machines and simple work in relation to
these machines.
Measuring Instruments
More advanced work in marking outs; use of the vernier height gauge,
vernier calliper, angle plate and surface table; limits and fits (British
Standard 1916); use of hand and machine reamers.
Metal Working
Safety precautions; use of sheet metal working tools amd equipment;
types of sheet metal seams and joints; soft soldering and brazing; methods
of cutting sheet metal required in the manufacture of clips, stays and
brackets; solid, tubular arnd blind riveting processes; tube bending and
flaring.
3. After the Second Phase apprentices shall branch into one of two
special fields of training, namely that of Machine Operator and that of
Engine Fitter.
GENERAL FITTER (MACHINE OPERATOR)
PHASE III
The Lathe
Turning of work requiring sliding, boring, facing and the use of
steadies; use of the taper turning attachment; off-setting the tail stock for
the production of accurate external and internal tapers; cutting of single
and multistart threads; turning and boring involving faceplate work.
PHASE IV
The Milling Machine
Milling of flat faces in correct angular and dimensional relationship,
using face and slot cutters; use of feed screw dials to obtain maximum
stock removal in roughing cuts and to control finishing cuts; milling
involving face, side-and-face and form or other cutting to produce feature
tolerance in relation to each other; use of the diving-head for gear-cutting
and spiral milling operations.
PHASE V
Practical training on one or more of the following machines:
( a ) Shaping Machines: shaping of face in right angled
relationship at one setting; shaping of angular faces and
slots.
( b ) Grinding Machine: cylindrical or tool and cutter grinder; use
of this machine for the grinding of work or the resharpening
of milling cutters.
( c ) Slotting Machines: use of this machine for the production of
key ways or splines. 
PHASE VI
General application and consolidation of previous training.
Guidance: future employment, prospects and opportunities; talks on the
role of Management, Trade Unions and Employees in Industry; lead-in
training for specialised employment.
GENERAL FITTER (ENGINE FITTER)
PHASE III
Internal Combustion Engine
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 7
Safety precautions; compression; ignition; principles of four and two
stroke engines; cooling; lubrication principles of carburation and fuel
injection; construction and function of component parts and ancillaries;
valve and ignition timing; carburettor adjustment; fuel injection pumps and
atomisers, including timing.
PHASE IV
Internal Combustion Engine (continued)
Safety precautions; principles and application of torque loading;
dismantling, decarbonising, cleaning, viewing and assembly of
components; methods of measuring for wear and clearance of components,
e.g. valves and valve-seats, crankshafts, big ends; running-in and testing
after overhaul, running faults and rectification.
PHASE V
Hydraulics and Pneumatics
Safety precautions; general principles; construction and operation of
hydraulically-operated jacking devices; types of hydraulic fluids;
precautions when filling resorvoirs; renewal of seal assemblies; method of
bleeding and priming hydraulic systems; rectification of leaks on high
pressure pipelines and at face joints; general principles, construction and
function of component-parts of engine-driven compressors; method of
lubrication; testing for wear and condition of valves; adjustment of driving
clutch and belts; starting and stopping techniques; running faults and their
remedies.
PHASE VI
General application and consolidation of previous training.
Guidance: future employment, prospects and opportunities; talks on the
role of Management, Trade Unions and Employees in Industry; lead-in
training for specialised employment.
4. Where the apprenticeship is of three years, Phases I, II, III, IV, V
and VI shall be of six months each; and where the apprenticeship is of five
years, Phases I ,II, III, IV, V and VI shall be of six, twelve, eight, eight,
eight and eighteen months respectively.
PART III - CALLING OF SHEET METAL WORKER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of Sheet Metal Worker
shall be of four years.
2. During such period of apprenticeship, apprentices shall be given
the theoretical and practical training hereunder specified:
( a ) Sheet Metal Work including - making, repairing, fitting and
fixing by hand or machines sheet metal parts as required
including developing, hammering, bending, cutting, joining,
seaming, notching, wiring, flanging, stretching, jennying,
swaying, riveting, drilling, filing, trimming, tapping,
deburring, tinning and soft soldering, brazing, annealing,
hollowing, raising and planishing.
( b ) General work including - Use of appropriate tools and
measuring instruments; grinding and sharpening of tools;
heat treatment for different metals; fluxes and their uses;
preparation of articles to be brazed or welded; use of
grooving tool, guillotine, jenny, and rolling and folding
machines.
( c ) Safety preacutions in workshops.
( d ) At the option of the employer the apprentice may also be
taught
EITHER
Electric Welding
(i) knowledge of welding equipment, including: use of
welding generators, resistances, ammeters,
voltmeters, electrodes, use of appropriate tools, care
8 [ S.L.343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
and maintenance of above.
(ii) Striking arc namely depositing beads of welds metal,
effect of distortion, correct usage of current, arc
length and electrodes.
(iii) General welding work including: preparations of work
for welding and weld positioning and procedure;
outside seam welds; square edge butt welds, fillet
welds; lap welds; circular weld fillets; circular welds
in beads or flat plate; forming beads in a vertical
position; forming beads on flat plate; overhead
circular fillet weld; pipe welding
OR
Oxy-Acetylene Welding
Knowledge of welding plant; use of welding gases
and cylinders, regulators, blow pipes and other gear;
use of apprpriate tools; care and maintenance of
above. Preparation of work for welding, weld
positioning and procedure; fusion runs; edge welds;
corner welds; square edge butt welds; corner joints;
fillet welds; tube to plate welds; re-entrant corners;
tubular joints, tees, corners, intersection bends;
jointing of dissimilar metals; brazing and silver
soldering; local and preheat techniques; building of
worn surfaces; hard surfacing; flame cutting, flame
gouging; pipe butt welds; typical pipe joints, tees,
bends, elbows and reducers, pipe flanges.
PART IV - CALLING OF COPPERSMITH
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of Coppersmith shall
be of four years.
2. During such period of apprenticeship, apprentices shall be given
theoretical and practical training in the following:
The care and use of coppersmith tools and accessories; soldering,
tinning, plumber-soldering and silver-soldering; brazing of flanges and
sheet metal by forge, gas, acetylene, oxygen and blow pipes; bending of
pipes of all metals; manufacture of sheet pipes; expansions, coils, tanks,
steam heaters, geysers, silencers, cans, funnels and pots; remetalling of
brasses, bushes, metallic packing, trust blocks and bearings; safety
precautions in workshops.
PART V - CALLING OF BLACKSMITH
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of Blacksmith shall be
of five years.
2. During each of these years, the apprentices shall be given the
theoretical and practical training specified hereunder: 
FIRST YEAR
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Elementary theory of forging. Use of anvil and forge.
General forging operations. Drawing down, square, round and
flat material to a point.
The blacksmith forge, open and
hollow types.
Shouldering and drawing round
to square section.
Building and care of the fire. Shouldering and drawing square
to round section.
Elementary metallurgy, iron and
steel.
Upsetting round and square
material.
Use of rule and callipers.
Drawing room chisel end, square
point, round point.
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AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 9
SECOND YEAR
THIRD YEAR
FOURTH YEAR
First six months
OXY-ACETYLENE WELDING
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Estimation of stocks required for
forging operations.
Shouldering drawing and
swaging.
Calculations of approximate
weight per foot of iron and steel
bars.
Collar forming, spreading and
punching.
Estimation of approximate
lengths of stock required for
drawing down and jumping
operations.
Bending square cornered angles.
Definition and nature of fire
welding.
Boss forming, off setting and
joggling.
General conditions necessary for
successful welding.
Making shackle pins and strap
hinges.
Types of weld or scarf. Forging of common types of
fastening, jointings and
connections, light and heavy.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
The forging of tool steel. Forging.
Forging temperature. Production of bolts, Wrench
Hooks, double eye lever, lever arm,
stays box spanners, hinges, thumb
screws, accentric rods, reversing
lever, connecting rods, brake shaft,
locking bars, rings.
Heat treatment of iron and steel.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
High and low pressure systems. Depositing beads on a flat
surface.
High pressure welding
equipment.
Making corner welds using filler
rods, butt welds, fillet welds, tee
joints.
Pressure regulators. Bronze welding of cast iron.
Blowpipes and nozzles. Building up on cast iron.
Gas hoses and connections. Oxy-acetylene cutting of plates
and pipes.
The assembly of equipment.
Safety precautions and care of
equipment.
The blowpipe flame.
Methods of welding and blowpipe
manipulation.
Welding technique.
Preparation of joints for mild
steel.
Application of bronze welding on
cast iron.
10 [ S.L.343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
ELECTRIC ARC WELDING
Where welding facilities are not available, arrangements have to be
made for welding to be undertaken in an establishment approved for the
purpose by the Director of Labour, under the guidance of experienced
instructors.
FOURTH YEAR
Second six months
FIFTH YEAR
PART VI - CALLING OF FOUNDER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of founder shall be of
four years.
2. During such period of apprenticeship, apprentices shall be given
theoretical and practical training in the following:
( a ) Foundry Work including: the care and use of foundry tools
and accessories; green sand moulding for various castings
using turn over, bedding in, and open sand methods, dry sand
moulding; loam mouldings; core making in loam and bil
sand; mixing and melting non-ferrous metals to produce
alloys; melting pig and scrap iron to produce cast iron;
furnace operation; lining the furnace, making up the bottom,
slaghole, tap hole, breast, charging the furnace, tapping out
and botting up.
( b ) Moulding Sand: its composition and physical properties.
( c ) Ferrous and non-ferrous metals: physical characteristacs and
properties.
( d ) Alloys (common): their constitutions and physical
properties.
( e ) Fuels: Coal, coke and oil; their uses in foundry work; the
Theoretical Training Practical Work
General principles in arc welding. Depositing continuous beads in
flat position.Welding equipment.
Electric arc welding; safety
precautions.
Welding of lap joint in flat
position.
Welding of tee joints.
Butt weld, corner weld.
Welding of light gauge sheet
metal.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Materials and their uses. Practice in annealing, hardening
and tempering of tool steel.
Elementary metallurgy, iron and
steel.
Tool Making.
Blacksmith’s punches, drifts,
Jullers sets, hot sets, swages, hand
mandrel, bolster for Harrow.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Heat treatment of iron and steel. Forging corners, shackles, hooks,
chain accessories.
Normalizing, annealing,
hardening, hardening temperature,
quenching and casehardening.
Lifting appliances.
Forging non-ferrous metals.
Glossary of terms used in the
blacksmith trade.
Making of springs, annealing,
normalizing and tempering.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
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production of coke from coal.
( f ) Safety precautions in workshops.
PART VII - CALLING OF WELDER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of welder shall be of
four years.
2. During each of these years, the apprentices shall be given the
theoretical and practical training specified hereunder:
FIRST YEAR
Theoretical Training Practical Work
General treatment of the basic
principles and process of welding;
brief comparison with other methods
of joining metals.
Introduction to welding shop
equipment; gas and electric are
welding.
Safety precautions on oxy-
acetylene electric arc welding with
particular reference to correct
earthing of electrical equipment, eye
and face protection during welding
and cutting.
Welding plants; filler rods;
electrodes and their functions;
regulations affecting welding;
protection of welding equipment;
how to avoid waste of electrodes;
materials and their welding
qualities; workshop methods of
identifying iron and steel.
Storage and safe handling of gas
cylinders, fire precaution.
Safety precautions to be observed
in the use of equipment.
Oxy-Acetylene Oxy-Acetylene
Function of the components of
low pressure and high pressure oxy-
acetylene welding system. Methods
of oxy-acetylene supply cylinders,
contents, and discharge rates.
Assembly and operation of oxy-
acetylene welding equipment; flame
adjustment and gas pressures
appropriate to different nozzle sizes
in relation to work being performed.
Structure of the oxy-acetylene
flame oxidation of flame setting and
their use, temperatures and
application.
(Mild Steel)
Depositing beads on a flat surface
without using a filler rod.
Selection of correct nozzle and
filler rods size; control of gas
velocity and its influence in welding
practice.
Making corner welds without
using filler rods.
Depositing beads on a flat surface
with a filler rod.
Manipulation of filler rod and
blowpipe; influence in welding
sneed. Left ward and right ward
welding technique; angle of
blowpipe and filler rod. Advantages
and limitations. Methods of re-
starting to avoid craters.
Building up hoses of weld metals
making corner welds with a filler
rod.
Making butt welds.
Making lap welds.
Making fillet welds and tee
joints.
Welding in the vertical position.
Welding in the overhead position.
Welding of light gauge material.
Electric Arc Electric Arc
Description of basic, simple
functions of alternating current and
direct current electric arc welding
equipment, current ranges, open
circuit and welding voltage.
Assembly and operation of
alternating current and direct
current electric arc welding
equipment.
12 [ S.L.343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
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SECOND YEAR
The electric arc and its function
in non-consumable and consumable
electrode, arc welding.
Striking and maintaining the arc
current adjustment, and current
value appropriate to different
electrode sizes and plate
thicknesses.
Effects produced by defective
electrode coating.
Technique of Arc Welding. (In
Mild Steel).
Section of correct current value
for electrode size.
Maintaining the arc; breaking the
arc; angularity of electrode to work;
weaving the electrode; arc crater
and penetration; arc length and arc
voltage; welding current values;
stability of arc; arc blow.
Effect of variations in supply
voltage.
Methods of striking the arc,
breaking the arc, re-striking, slag
control effects of current arc length,
speed of travel, angle of electrode
for different positions.
Selection of type of joint, plain
butt joint, single vee butt joint,
double vee butt joint, double U butt
joint, single vee tee joint, single
fillet lap joint, double fillet lap
joint, flush corner joint, half round
corner joint, full corner joint,
intermitted weld, weld tack weld;
dimension of welds, reinforcement
of welds; position of welds, in flat
horizontal or vertical, vertical up;
vertical down; overhead.
Quantity of deposited metal.
Simple description of ancillary
welding equipment and tools
required for oxy-acetylene and arc
welding.
Types of preparation for welding,
method of preparation, gap settings.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Oxy-Acetylene Oxy-Acetylene
Welding technique for making
butt lap and tee joints.
Gas welding of mild steel pipes in
rolling and fixed position.
Effect of shape of fillet weld, leg
length, and throat thickness.
Welding of light gauge tubing,
butt weld, seam weld, tube to flat
surfaces; plate abutted to tubing
welding; insert plate to tubing; tee
joint in tubing; welding gussets
plate on tubing; lattice tubing joints.
Recognition of defects in gas
welded joints as defined by British
Standard 1295.
Simple description of gas welding
blowpipe suitable for low and high
pressure system; single stage and
multistage gas pressure regulations,
care, and operation; safety
precautions.
Bronze welding on mild steel
plate in different thicknesses.
Bronze welding of lap joints.
Bronze welding of cast iron.
Electric Arc Fusion welding of copper.
Welding procedure and technique
for making butt, lap and tee fillet
joints on plates and pipe joints.
Brazing on bronze and copper.
Welding of cast iron, with cast
iron filler rods.
Simple description of alternating
current and direct current welding
plants.
Building up on cast iron plates.
Welding of aluminium on 1/16",
1/8" 1/4" and 1/2" plates.
Connections of welding
equipment to mains supply; earthing
arrangements; use of measuring
equipment in arc welding.
Lap joint, fillet weld on tee
joints, edge weld, outside corner.
Electric Arc
Ammeters, voltmeters, long test
ammeters.
Building a pad of weld metal on a
flat surface.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 13
THIRD YEAR
Weld ability of various metals by
arc welding.
Building up a shaft or a round
surface.
Welding of mild steel pipes in
rolling and fixed position.
Welding of tubing; welding tee
joint in tubing; welding gusset plate
on tubing.
Welding lattice tubing joints.
Welding of wrought iron, low
carbon iron, high tensile steel.
Welding of cast iron.
Welding of stainless steel.
Welding of copper, brass,
phosphor bronze and aluminium.
Welding of galvanized steel.
Welding in step back method.
Welding in block sequence.
Welding in wandering sequences.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Oxy-Acetylene cutting; chemistry
of oxy-acetylene cutting; effects of
cutting steel; oxy-acetylene cutting
processes.
Oxy-Acetylene
Oxy-Acetylene cutting of plates.
General principles of flame
cutting.
Straight cutting using a guide;
cutting of plates, various bevel of
weld preparation.
Flame cutting technique. Chafing of welding on the welded
joint.
Manual flame cutting. Cutting different thicknesses of
plate.
Machine flame cutting. Cutting pipes, angle bars, tee
Bars, I Bars.
Single operation upward vertical
gas welding technique, right-hand
techniques; advantages and
limitations.
Cutting of circular holes using
trammel gauge.
Gas welding of pipe for high
pressure.
Techniques for vertical up and
vertical down in welding.
Advantages and limitations.
Welding mild steel plates in
fabrication and repair.
Butt welds in mild steel pipes by
manual metal arc welding.
Cutting of nuts on bolts without
damaging the thread.
The necessity of preheating for
heat treatable steel.
Welding of butt, lap and fillet
joints in pipe lines.
Welding technique for cast iron
repairing and maintenance.
Reclamation of worn articles in
engineering equipment.
Causes of distortion during and
after welding. Distortion control.
Reclamation of non-ferrous worn
parts in general engineering
equipment.
14 [ S.L.343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
FOURTH YEAR
First Period of 6 months
General defects in welds as
revealed by visual inspection,
workshop tests, microscopic
examination as defined British
Standard 1295. Causes and remedies
of defects.
Further practicing of rightward
and leftward technique.
Electric Arc
Butt welds in plate in the range of
1" to 2", in downhand position.
Simple tests in workshops - bend
test, nick and oil weld tests.
Double vee butt welds in 1/2" to
3/4" thick plates in vertical position.
Deposition of straight runs on a
plate approximately 3/8" thick on
the overhead position.
Fillet welded tee joints in 3/16"
thick plate in the overhead position.
Deposition of multi-layer pads
with wear resisting steel in the
vertical position.
Welding of flanges 3/8" to 1/2" to
pipes. Welds to be made in rotation.
Welding of equal and unequal
branch pipe joints in location.
Butt joints, with backing rings, in
pipes in the range of 2" to 4"
diameter.
A multi-run weld in heat treatable
steel to demonstrate the necessity of
preheating, to avoid cracking
tendencies.
Reclamation of worn articles in
the engineering equipment.
Repair of cast iron to machinery
and equipment.
Theoretical Training Practical Work
Oxy-Acetylene Oxy-Acetylene
Filler rods for gas welding
requirements as defined to British
Standard 1453.
Surfacing with bronze by the
deposition of superimposed straight
beads on cylindrical surface.
Technique of gas welding in
fusion welding and bronze welding.
Cast iron or steel pipe.
Electric Arc Butt and fillet joints between
dissimilar metals 1/16" copper to
brass, galvanised to copper, lead to
brass or copper.
Classification of electrodes for
the use of metal arc welding as
defined in British Standard 1719.
Technique of welding in cast iron
for machineable welds.
The bronze welding of butt, tee
and lap joints in 1/16" and 1/8"
copper sheets.
Elementary welding science,
expansion and contraction.
Measurement of temperatures,
conduction, convection and
radiation; mechanical properties of
common metals.
The bronze welding of bell joints
and branch pipe joint in the range of
1" to 2" copper tube.
The flame brazing of tee and lap
joints in aluminium 1/16" and 1/8"
thick.
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 15
FOURTH YEAR
Second Period of 6 months
During this period apprentices shall specialise in any particular field of
applied welding to be selected by the Director bearing in mind both the
requirements of the employer and the wishes and aptitudes of the
apprentice.
PART VIII - CALLING OF PANEL BEATER
1. The period of apprenticeship in the calling of Panel Beater shall
be of four years.
2. During such period of apprenticeship, apprentices shall be given
the theoretical and practical training specified hereunder: 
( a ) Panel beating work including - making, repairing, fitting and
fixing by hand or machines sheet metal parts as required
including developing, hammering, bending, cutting, joining,
notching, flanging, stretching, jennying, swaging, riveting,
drilling, filing, trumming, deburrmg, tinning, soft soldering
and loading, brazing, annealing, hollowing, raising and
planishing.
( b ) General work including - use of appropriate tools and
measuring instruments; grinding and sharpening of tools;
heat treatment for different metals; fluxes and their uses;
preparation of articles to be brazed or welded; use of
guillotine; jenny and rolling machines.
Welding of non-ferrous casting
requiring preheating, in particular
aluminium castings, zinc base die
castings and magnesmm alloy
castings.
The repair of non-ferrous castings
preheated in loose fire brick
furnaces using charcoal, or air full
gas flame, full fusion and bronze
welding.
The reforming of large cast iron
gear tooth, by studding and
deposition of bronze.
Butt welds in austenitic steel on
1/16" to 1/8" in the downhand and
vertical position.
Butt and fillet joints between
dissimilar metals 1/4" thick brass to 
mild steel, manganese steel to low
alloy steel, stainless steel to mild
steel, cast iron to mild steel.
The welding of cast iron
requiring total preheating, local
preheating or indirect preheating
with ferrous and non-ferrous
electrodes.
The hard facing of cast iron in the
range of 3/8" to 1/2" using the
buttering technique.
The use of ferrous and non-
ferrous electrodes for welding
fractured surfaces of thick section
on cast iron.
Welding of high pressure pipes of
different thicknesses in rotation and
fixed position.
16 [ S.L.343.14
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16
( c ) Oxy-Acetylene welding - knowledge of welding plant; use of
welding gases and cylinders, regulators, blow pipes and
other gear; use of appropriate tools; care and maintenance of
the foregoing. Preparation of work for welding and weld
positioning and procedure, fusion runs; edge welds; corner
welds, square edge butt welds; corner joints; fillet welds;
tube to plate welds; re-entrant corners; tubular joints, tees,
corners, intersections, bends; brazing; local and total preheat
techniques; flame gouging; flame cutting; pipe butt welds,
typical pipe joints; tee bends, elbows and reducers.
( d ) Safety precautions in workshops.
( e ) At the option of the employer the apprentice may also be
taught 
EITHER
Electric Welding
(i) Knowledge of welding equipment, including: use of
welding generators, resistances, ammeters,
voltmeters, electrodes, use of appropriate tools, care
and maintenance of above.
(ii) Striking arc namely depositing beads of welds metal,
effect of distortion, correct useage of current, arc
length and electrodes.
(iii) General welding work including: preparation of work
for welding and weld positioning and procedure;
outside seam welds; square edge butt welds; fillet
welds; lamp welds; circular weld fillets; circular
welds in beads on flat plate; forming beads in a
vertical position; forming beads on flat plate;
overhead circular fillet welds; pipe welding.
OR
Oxy-Acetylene Welding
Knowledge of welding plant; use of welding gases
and cylinders, regulators, blowpipes and other gear;
use of appropriate tools; care and maintenance of
above. Preparation of work for welding and weld
positioning and procedure; fusion runs; edge welds;
corner welds; square edge butt welds; corner joints;
fillet welds; tube to plate welds; re-entrant corners;
tubular joints, tees, corners, intersection bends:
jointing of dissimilar metals; brazing and silver
soldering; local and total preheat techniques; building
of worn surfaces; hard surfaces; flame cutting; flame
gouging; pipe butt welds; typical pipe joints, tee
bends, elbows and reducers, pipe flanges.
Substituted by:
L.N. 37 of 1971;
L.N. 124 of 1976;
L.N. 61 of 1977;
L.N. 80 of 1979.
SECOND SCHEDULE
(Article 8)
Wages payable to Apprentices
The wages payable to apprentices in the callings
contemplated by this scheme shall be as follows:
( a ) where the apprenticeship lasts three
years:
Year: Wages per 
week
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 
AND ALLIED TRADES SCHEME - SCHEME NO. 16 [ S.L.343.14 17
First .......................................... Lm14.56,0
Second ...................................... Lm16.57,0
Third ......................................... Lm18.57,0
( b ) where the apprenticeship lasts four
years:
Year: Wages per 
week
First .......................................... Lm10.55,0
Second ...................................... Lm13.22,0
Third ......................................... Lm15.90,0
Fourth ....................................... Lm18.57,0
( c ) where the apprenticeship lasts five
years:
Year: Wages per 
week
First .......................................... Lm10.55,0
Second ...................................... Lm12.55,0
Third ......................................... Lm14.56,0
Fourth ....................................... Lm16.57,0
Fifth .......................................... Lm.18.57,0.
