Trade Assistant

Transnet Company; Pinetown; On-site; ZAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Transnet Pipelines is seeking a Trade Assistant to support artisans in maintenance tasks across clusters, ensuring the safe operation of the pipeline network. The role involves preventative maintenance, equipment refurbishment, and assistance in repairs to keep the network reliable and efficient.

You will assist with loading, unloading, and securing loads, drive as required, and contribute to right-of-way upkeep while adhering to safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 with at least 1 year technical maintenance experience.
• Driver's license Code 08 or higher.
• First Aid level I, Fire Fighting, training; basic technical skills/hand tools.
• Experience in use of power tools (e.g., grinder); general health and safety.
• Operate overhead crane and gantry; truck-mounted crane; forklift; cherry picker.

Responsibilities

• Assist Artisan (Electrical/Mechanical) in maintenance tasks to ensure pipeline integrity.
• Perform preventative maintenance on equipment timeously and safely.
• Remove and replace equipment, prepare and install replacements; repressurize and test.
• Refurbish equipment by disassembling, replacing parts, reassembling and testing.
• Repair bursts in high-pressure pipelines: locate, stop fuel flow, contain spills, and re-establish service.
• Assist with maintaining pipeline right of way including marker replacement and pipe wrapping.
• Assist with loading and securing loads on vehicles; drive when needed.
• Assist with minor trenching and general housekeeping in the workshop.

Skills

Technical maintenance experience

Driver's license

First Aid

Fire Fighting

Basic hand tools

Electrical/Mechanical aptitude

Standby/rotation capability

Education

Grade 12

Tools

Overhead crane

Gantry crane

Truck mounted crane

Forklift

Cherry picker

Job description

Trade Assistant

• Operating Division: Transnet Pipelines
• Employee Group: Permanent
• Department: OPS & TEC, M&W, Mechanical, LAY
• Location: Pinetown
• Reporting To: Mechanical Supervisor
• Grade: K2
• Reference: req6017

The closing date is on 30/10/2026. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.

Position Purpose

To assist the Artisan (Electrical/Mechanical) in all Clusters with maintenance duties.

These duties include preventative maintenance, removing and replacing of equipment, refurbishing of equipment, repair to damaged equipment as well as right of way repairs that include the wrapping of pipeline, emergency repairs to ensure the integrity and safe operation of the pipeline network and equipment.

Position Outputs

To assist the Artisan to perform preventive maintenance tasks on equipment timeously and safely, thereby ensuring reliable equipment for the continuous operation of the pipeline network.

To assist the Artisan to remove and replace specific equipment, as well as preparing and installing the replacement equipment, repressurizing and testing the operation of the equipment in an economical, timeous and safe manner, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of the pipeline network.

To assist the Artisan to refurbish equipment by disassembling the equipment, replacing defective parts, reassembling and testing the equipment in an economical and safe manner to manufacturer’s specifications, thereby ensuring a reliable reserve equipment pool for the continuous operation of the pipeline network.

The Trade Assistant will assist the artisan to repair a burst high-pressure hydrocarbon fuel pipeline by finding the exact location of the burst, stopping the fuel flow, containing and retrieving the spilled fuel, preparing the specific area to effect the repair to the pipeline, as well as repressurising the line, performing an external inspection and placing the pipeline back in operation in an economical, timeous and safe manner, thereby ensuring the continuous operation of the pipeline network

The Trade assistant will assist the artisan to maintain the integrity of the pipeline right of way by replacing markers, wrapping of pipes thereby ensuring the continuous operation of the pipeline.

Trade assistant to ensure housekeeping in the workplace for safekeeping of tools equipment and spares.

To assist in loading and to secure the loads on vehicles as and when required.

Trade assist will be required to drive as and when needed.

Trade assist will be required to assist with minor trenching.

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 with at least 1 year technical maintenance experience
• Driver's license Code 08 or higher
• First Aid level I Fire Fighting, training Basic technical skills/basic hand tools
• Experience in use of power tools e.g. Grinder General health and safety Operate Overhead crane and gantry Truck mounted crane Forklift Cherry Picker

Competencies

• Behavioural competencies Be able to be on standby and to be able to rotate in electrical/mechanical operations
• Work extended hours
• Independence
• Attention to detail
• Technical aptitude
• Good communication skills

Equity Statement

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Plan and Targets of the Organisation/Operating Division.

Disclaimer

If you have not heard from Transnet within 90 days, please consider your application as unsuccessful.