On 31 July 2026, SKF South Africa proudly celebrated the graduation of 14 Apprentices in Mechanical Fitting Qualification and 15 Apprentices in Lubrication Equipment Mechanic, who successfully completed the Lubrication Equipment Mechanic Occupational Qualification. These 29 graduates who are all employed within SKF in diverse roles, hold the distinction of being the first in the world to qualify as through an apprenticeship-based program.
SKF South Africa pioneered the implementation of this qualification in partnership with like‑minded industry stakeholders, as part of a concerted effort to close the critical skills gap and advance industry standards. The program, launched in 2022, marks a world‑first achievement for SKF, underscoring the company’s commitment to workforce development and redefining the future of sustainable industrial reliability.
Mining, manufacturing, heavy engineering and other industrial sectors have long grappled with a critical global gap, defined by the absence of formally qualified Lubrication Equipment Mechanics. “This shortage of skilled lubrication technicians stems from restricted formal training pathways, further compounded by the lack of structured, accredited occupational qualifications in lubrication equipment mechanics,” explains Micaela Willers, Manager for power transmission and training at SKF South Africa. “This untenable situation triggers additional challenges, with incorrect lubrication practices leading to increased downtime, premature equipment failure and escalating inefficiencies that place immense strain on operations around the world. It became evident that a structured, accredited, apprenticeship-based training solution was needed to establish a pipeline of competent lubrication specialists capable of driving reliability-focused maintenance strategies.”
SKF South Africa designed and delivered the program as a comprehensive apprenticeship pathway, fully aligned with occupational standards and industry requirements. Integrating theoretical knowledge, practical training and workplace immersion, this ground‑breaking initiative equips apprentices with the skills required to advance reliability‑driven maintenance strategies.
Beyond skills development, the program also delivers measurable sustainability benefits. Proper lubrication practices reduce lubricant waste, optimise material usage, lower energy consumption, extend machine service life, and enhance both operator and equipment safety. By embedding these competencies into a globally recognised qualification, SKF South Africa not only addresses a critical skills gap but also advances the broader sustainability agenda for industries reliant on heavy machinery.
Addressing the audience at the graduation ceremony, Michael Mogagabe, Technical Training Manager, remarked: “This program was demanding, and there were times when our apprentices felt like giving up,” says “However, they showed remarkable perseverance, pushed through every challenge, and every single one of them passed. We couldn’t be prouder – congratulations to all of you.”
“Success is never achieved alone; it is the result of teamwork, dedication, and partnership,” said SKF South Africa’s Country Manager, Andres Vera, in a heartfelt message to the graduates. “This program reflects the collective effort of the SKF team and our trainers, working hand‑in‑hand with strategic industry stakeholders to pioneer something truly transformative. Today we celebrate not only a world‑first achievement, but also the resilience and determination of our graduates, who have completed this demanding journey with distinction. Congratulations to each of you on this outstanding accomplishment — we are immensely proud.”
This success underscores SKF’s leadership in shaping industry standards and delivering a globally recognised qualification that elevates the role of lubrication specialists. By embedding structured training into the lubrication discipline, SKF has raised the benchmark for professional excellence in training, empowering a new generation of specialists and reinforcing resilience across industries. Customers worldwide can now rely on skilled lubrication experts to keep operations running efficiently, reliably and sustainably.
