Drill & Blast Manager

University of Fort Hare; Komatipoort; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare invites applications for a senior Training Leader role to coordinate and continuously improve technical training and competency development for mine employees, with emphasis on MQA and MHSA compliance and safe, productive operations.

You will oversee TMM operator training, assessments, induction, audits, and the development of training material, while leading a team of Training Officers and Instructors and managing training budgets.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and coaching ability.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Sound knowledge of MQA and MHSA requirements.
• Planning and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mine's training department and develop annual training plans.
• Oversee TMM operator training, assessments, moderation and inductions.
• Coordinate contractor and employee training and monitor KPIs.
• Prepare for MQA audits and maintain training records.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Facilitation

Planning

Education

National Certificate in Surface Excavation, Rockbreaking or equivalent mining qualification

Competent Person A qualification

Train-the-Trainer qualification

Grade 12

Blasting Assistant qualification advantageous

Job description

Role Purpose

To lead, coordinate and continuously improve all technical training and competency development programmes for mine employees, ensuring compliance with MQA, MHSA and company standards. The incumbent will oversee TMM operator training, assessments, moderation, induction programmes, legal compliance training and skills development to support safe and productive mining operations.

Key Responsibilities

Training Leadership

• Manage the mine's training department.
• Develop and implement annual training plans.
• Supervise Training Officers and Instructors.
• Coordinate contractor and employee training.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and competency compliance.

Technical Training

• Coordinate theoretical and practical training on:
• Rigid Dump Trucks
• ADTs
• Excavators
• Dozers
• Graders
• Front-End Loaders
• Drill Rigs
• Water Bowsers
• Support equipment and other TMMs.

Assessment & Compliance

• Conduct formative, summative and RPL assessments.
• Moderate assessments.
• Maintain MQA compliance.
• Ensure legal appointments remain compliant.
• Prepare for MQA and Department of Mineral Resources audits.
• Maintain training records and competency matrices.

Training Material

• Develop and update learning material.
• Prepare assessments and practical evaluations.
• Review SOPs and work instructions.

Safety & Operational Support

• Promote a strong safety culture.
• Conduct inductions and refresher training.
• Participate in incident investigations where training gaps are identified.
• Ensure employees remain legally competent before operating equipment.

Reporting

• Compile weekly and monthly training reports.
• Report on statutory compliance.
• Monitor training budgets.
• Maintain training databases.

Required Competencies

• Strong leadership and coaching ability.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Sound knowledge of MQA and MHSA requirements.
• Planning and organisational skills.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12.
• MQA Registered Assessor and Moderator.
• National Certificate in Surface Excavation, Rockbreaking or equivalent mining qualification.
• Competent Person A qualification.
• Blasting Assistant qualification advantageous.
• Train-the-Trainer qualification.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Minimum 10 years' mining training experience.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Training plan completion.
• Operator competency compliance.
• MQA audit outcomes.
• Assessment turnaround times.
• Safety training compliance.
• Refresher training completion.
• Reduction in operator-related incidents.
• Skills development targets achieved.