Mechanical Engineering

By the end, you understand mechanics, energy and materials, can read basic drawings, and know the study and registration route. This path prepares you for formal study; it does not qualify you.

Career pathwayAbout 110 hours3 stagesFree

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Career pathway. This is a regulated career. Online learning gives you strong foundations and a clear plan, but you will need to study and register formally to work in it. The route is explained on this page.

Lessons play here, from free YouTube courses.

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Mechanical engineers design and maintain machines, engines, pumps, vehicles and manufacturing equipment. Mines, factories, power stations and the motor industry in South Africa all employ them. It is a regulated profession.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsBuild the base: maths, forces, motion and energy.Task: Take apart (and reassemble) something simple like a bicycle gear system or a pump. Sketch the parts and explain how force and motion move through it.Core skillsLearn technical drawing, materials, thermodynamics and CAD basics.Task: Draw a simple part (for example a bracket) in free CAD software such as Onshape or FreeCAD, with correct dimensions, and export a drawing.Applied practicePrepare for formal study and the workplace.Task: Research programmes and bursaries (for example from Sasol, Transnet, Eskom or the merSETA) and write your plan for getting in, including NSC marks needed.

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What competent looks like

Explains forces, torque, energy and efficiency
Reads and draws simple technical drawings
Uses basic CAD
Understands common materials
Knows the ECSA registration route

The South African route

Study a mechanical engineering diploma, BEngTech or BEng, then register with ECSA after supervised experience. The merSETA funds many learnerships and bursaries.

Free resources

Engineering registration information
ECSA
Free CAD for students
Onshape

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Engineering student
Mechanical engineering technician (after diploma)
Maintenance planner trainee
Draughting assistant