Short Course Information

As part of the NLA – SA’s ongoing commitment towards the upliftment of technical skills in the Calibration, Measurement and Testing Laboratory environments, we believe that it is essential that the NLA – SA, as an Association, provides this vital link between ongoing education and the communities it serves.

As a prospective attendee, we look forward to welcoming you on one of our courses and trust that the value of this education will be of long term benefit to everyone involved in the laboratory and measurement world.
Course schedule The NLA – SA presents various short courses which are designed to develop new and more experienced laboratory personnel working in both Calibration/Metrology and Testing Laboratories. The courses are presented by experts in their field.
Print / View Course Schedule
Course Registration Click on the following link to complete the course registration form Register for a Course All provisional bookings must be made by completing the online course registration form. You will receive an e-mail containing a reference number if your registration was successful. Please follow up with the NLA – SA Office if the confirmation e-mail is not received. A quotation and/or invoice will be forwarded as soon as possible after the booking request is received by the NLA – SA Office. Course attendance can only be guaranteed (pending the number of attendees that registered) once proof of payment or a purchase order is received at least ten working days before training commences. A minimum of eight attendees are required per course. If less than eight attendees enroll, the course may be postponed.
Course Details It is recommended that prospective attendees with limited or no experience in the calibration environment and working in SANAS accredited facilities first complete the General courses (in the order listed) before attending discipline-specific courses. However, where discipline-specific courses consist of Part 1 and 2, the Part 1 course should be completed before the Uncertainty of Measurement – GUM (Physical) course. Completion of the Part 1 course is also a pre-requisite for the Part 2 course. Whilst it is not the NLA – SA’s intention to strictly apply this order, we are firmly of the opinion that attendees will greatly benefit by following the recommended order. ISO/IEC 17025 Systems and Root Cause Analysis courses are presented by SANAS. Prospective attendees should contact SANAS directly to book these courses. Important Notice: If you are interested in a course that is currently not scheduled, please notify the NLA – SA of your interest in the course to enable us to communicate with you once course dates are proposed. Please click on the course name for a detailed description of the course contents, as well as the pre-requisites for attending the course.
CoursesView course details
GeneralIntroduction to Measurement
Method Validation Calibration
Uncertainty of Measurement – GUM (Physical)
Practical UoM DCLF
Practical UoM Temperature
Calibration / Metrology CoursesView course details
Electrical / TemperatureElectrical (DC LF) Metrology Part 1
Electrical (DC LF) Metrology Part 2
Electrical Power – Energy Meter Calibration Basics
Time & Frequency Metrology
Radio Frequency Examination Guidelines This course has been discontinued, however an evaluation examination for MetCert purposes is available – see link for details
Temperature Metrology Part 1
Temperature Metrology Part 2
Humidity Metrology
Autoclave Sterilisers
Calibration / Metrology CoursesView course details
MechanicalMass Metrology
Basic Dimensional Measurement for Inspection and Manufacturing
Dimensional Metrology Part 1
Dimensional Metrology Part 2
Force Metrology
Pressure Metrology Part 1
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
Torque Metrology Part 1 (Calibration of Torque Tools)
Torque Metrology Part 2 (Calibration of Torque Transducers)
Liquid Flow Metrology
Gas Metrology Safety
Testing / Analytical CoursesView course details
GeneralMetrology in Testing Laboratories
Method Validation Analytical
Uncertainty of Measurement (Analytical) (refer below for Microbiology-specific course)
Testing / Analytical CoursesView course details
Field specificMicrobiology practical (Water and Food Analysis)
Microbiology Method Validation and Uncertainty of Measurement: Practical course (Water and Food Analysis)
Autoclave Sterilisers
Gas Safety Metrology
Venue Unless indicated on the Course Schedule, all courses are presented at the NLA – SA Offices in Pretoria:
Address: 1 De Havilland Crescent, Persequor Technopark, Lynnwood, Pretoria (corner of General van Ryneveld street and De Havilland Crescent)
Please note that the option is available to have a course presented at your offices (refer to In-house Training).
Course agenda Unless otherwise indicated, all courses have the following broad agenda:
Registration and early coffee: 08h00
Daily start time: 08h30
Daily end time: 16h00/16h30 (depending on the course)
Note: It is recommended that attendees should not book return flights before 18h00 on the last day of the course.
Cost The course fee (incl VAT) is published on the Course Schedule and includes the following.
Course material
Writing pad and pen
Tea/Coffee and refreshments
Light lunch
Examination fee
Note: It is recommended that attendees bring a calculator for all courses, except the Uncertainty of Measurement and the Method Validation (Analytical) courses, where a statistical calculator will be provided as part of the course material.
Current paid up members of the NLA – SA are eligible for a discounted course fee for 2 or more attendees from the member company.
A 30% Cancellation Fee will be charged for “no-shows” or cancellations received close to the commencement of the course.
Cancellations must be made in writing to training@nla.org.za.
Examination and re-examination fees The examination fee for the examination directly following the course is included in the course fee.
The first re-examination is free of charge if written with the next available exam.
An extra charge will be applicable if a special re-examination has to be arranged. Two months’ notice is required.
Examination venue All attendees within a 200 km range of the NLA – SA offices write their examinations at the NLA – SA Offices in Pretoria. Exam dates are set during the course and take place approximately two weeks after the end of the course.
Availability of results Moderated results are available approximately six to eight (6-8) weeks after the date of the exam.
Certificates The NLA – SA presents both non-examined and examined courses.
Non-examined courses: A Certificate of Attendance is provided to all attendees.
Examined courses: A Certificate of successful completion is awarded to those who obtained a mark of at least 50% for all examined courses, except the Uncertainty of Measurement course where a pass mark of at least 60% is applicable.
If no exam is written or if a suitable pass mark is not achieved, a Certificate of Attendance can be provided on request.
Note: Certificates will only be issued to attendees whose course is paid in full.
Issuing and collection of certificates Certificates will be issued approximately two (2) weeks after receiving the results. Original Certificates will be couriered or may be collected from the NLA – SA Offices.
In-house training If you have a group to train, for any of the courses that we offer, the course can be presented at your offices (in-house).  Contact the NLA – SA Office for a proposal, please complete the online in-house training request form
Accommodation Attendees are requested to arrange their own accommodation. Refer to the following link for conveniently located options ranging from Guesthouses, B&B’s, Hotels etc. Accommodation List.
Contact us For all queries or requests regarding short courses, please contact us.
E-mail: training@nla.org.za
Tel no: 012 349 1500