Trade Assistant

About this role

Transnet Pipelines is looking for a Trade Assistant to work in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal. You will support the Artisan (Electrical/Mechanical) with maintenance on the pipeline network and its equipment. The role reports to the Mechanical Supervisor.

What you’ll do

• Help the artisan with preventative maintenance, and with removing, replacing, refurbishing and repairing equipment.
• Assist with emergency repairs on a burst high-pressure hydrocarbon fuel pipeline, including locating the burst, stopping the flow, containing spilled fuel and preparing the repair area.
• Help repressurise lines, carry out external inspections and return pipelines to service safely.
• Support right-of-way work, such as replacing markers, wrapping pipes and minor trenching.
• Keep the workplace tidy so that tools, equipment and spares are stored safely.
• Load vehicles, secure loads, and drive when needed.

What you need

• Grade 12 (matric).
• At least 1 year of technical maintenance experience.
• Driver’s licence Code 08 or higher.
• First Aid Level 1.
• Fire fighting training.
• Basic technical skills and experience with hand tools and power tools, such as a grinder.
• General health and safety knowledge.
• Advantageous: ability to operate an overhead crane and gantry, truck-mounted crane, forklift or cherry picker.
• Willingness to be on standby and rotate through electrical and mechanical operations.
• Willingness to work extended hours.
• Independence, attention to detail, technical aptitude and good communication skills.

Is this job for you?

This job suits someone with hands-on technical experience who is comfortable working outdoors on pipelines and fuel systems. You should be able to work safely under pressure, follow instructions and work well as part of a team. Flexibility around standby duty and longer hours matters for this role.

Tips before you apply

• Have your matric certificate, driver’s licence, and any First Aid or fire fighting certificates ready to upload.
• On your CV, list your technical maintenance experience in detail, including the tools and equipment you have used and the sites you worked on.
• Show your experience with power tools, equipment handling and any crane or forklift operation. Give examples of where you worked safely.