IGS is inviting applications for a Trainee position based in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The opportunity is aimed at candidates who want to build practical experience in industrial coating and thermal spray operations.
The position is offered on a full-time basis. Successful candidates will undergo a company-sponsored training programme before working as Thermal Spray Technicians on customer projects.
The main purpose of the role is to support IGS coating operations by applying corrosion-protection coatings to mission-critical equipment. The work can take place at customer facilities in South Africa and internationally.
The ideal candidate should have a high school qualification or equivalent, with industrial or field-service experience preferred. Applicants must also be prepared for demanding physical work, extended shifts, confined spaces and international travel.
The advertised salary range is ZAR 68.00 to ZAR 120.00 per hour. The advertisement does not provide a specific closing date, although the listing is marked as having been posted 28 days ago.
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.
What is the Trainee opportunity?
The Trainee position provides an entry point into IGS’s thermal spray operations. Employees receive company-sponsored training and then support teams responsible for applying protective coatings to industrial equipment.
The role exists to help deliver coating projects that protect customer equipment from corrosion and other forms of deterioration. Employees work alongside experienced sprayers and gradually develop the practical skills required to carry out coating work with greater independence.
The position covers several parts of the coating process, including equipment preparation, surface profiling, thermal spraying, repairs, inspections and quality-control documentation. Employees are also expected to follow IGS and customer-specific safety procedures.
The work contributes directly to project quality and customer satisfaction. Accurate coating thickness, proper surface preparation and adherence to safety procedures are important because mistakes can result in non-conforming work and project losses.
Why could this opportunity be valuable?
The role can provide practical exposure to thermal spraying, corrosion protection, industrial coatings, abrasive blasting, equipment operation and quality control.
A successful trainee can develop experience with technical equipment, coating measurements, Testex applications, Elcometer instruments, coating maps and production documentation. The position also provides opportunities to learn equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
The experience can be useful in industries such as power generation, petrochemical, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing, refineries and industrial maintenance. These industries regularly require workers with practical experience in surface preparation, protective coatings and industrial equipment.
The position also involves working with experienced team members and eventually providing guidance to other personnel. This can help develop technical confidence, teamwork and workplace leadership skills.
Quick Overview
Item Details Opportunity Trainee Company IGS Location Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Closing Date Not disclosed in the advert Salary/Stipend ZAR 68.00 to ZAR 120.00 per hour Employment Type Full Time Industry Industrial coating / thermal spray / field service Target Group Candidates with a high school qualification or equivalent; industrial or field-service experience preferred Application Method Not specified in the supplied advert
What will successful candidates do?
Successful candidates will receive training before taking part in thermal spray coating projects. The work involves travelling to customer sites and working as part of a team responsible for protecting industrial equipment through corrosion-resistant coatings.
The role combines physical fieldwork with technical inspection and quality-control duties. Employees must be able to operate equipment safely, identify problems, follow coating specifications and document measurements accurately.
The position can involve working independently for most duties while also assisting team members and taking guidance from team leaders. Employees may also be required to take on alternate responsibilities when operationally necessary.
Main responsibilities include:
- Follow IGS and customer-specific safety procedures and safe operating practices.
- Complete required company and customer training.
- Work towards carrying out duties with at least 90% independence.
- Assist with planning upcoming coating work.
- Review quality-control plans with the Team Leader before work begins.
- Understand coating documentation and identify areas requiring coating on boilers and vessels.
- Interpret colour coding, internal instruments, nozzles and plates on coating maps.
- Operate and troubleshoot thermal spray and associated equipment.
- Address faults involving power packs, control boxes, blast pots, air blocks, pressure switches and related equipment.
- Maintain and repair equipment when required, including replacing specified components.
- Tag and communicate information about damaged equipment.
- Operate breathing equipment and replace relevant components when necessary.
- Prepare surfaces and create the required profile before coating.
- Maintain the required profile depth and minimise surface defects.
- Apply coatings consistently within project specifications.
- Maintain coating thickness within the required tolerance.
- Assist other team members when required.
- Produce smooth tapers and tie-ins without hard edges or lips.
- Carry out coating repairs using the correct preparation and repair geometry.
- Assist with repair inspections.
- Calibrate and correctly use Elcometer measuring equipment.
- Apply Testex correctly and address readings that fall outside requirements.
- Record profile thickness and Testex results in the required documentation.
- Complete SEE report readings with limited supervision.
- Provide clear feedback to the Team Leader.
- Follow task-specific Standard Operating Procedures.
- Set up and operate sandblasting and HVAS equipment.
- Assist with the preparation, application and inspection of production test plates when required.
- Provide practical HVAS guidance and demonstrations to other personnel when appropriate.
- Work safely in demanding industrial environments.
- Maintain consistent coating quality and prevent non-conforming work.
- Conduct themselves professionally and follow IGS values.
- Pursue improvements in work quality and consistency.
Who should apply?
The ideal candidate should have a High School Diploma or equivalent. Previous industrial or field-service experience is preferred, particularly experience gained in technically demanding environments.
Relevant backgrounds mentioned in the advertisement include power plants, petrochemical operations, oil and gas, mining, commercial environments, concrete, sandblasting, hydro-blasting, coating application, painting and manufacturing.
Candidates should be comfortable working with pressurised equipment and air systems, including systems operating at 140 PSI or higher. They should also be capable of working in confined, dusty and high-temperature environments while wearing the required protective equipment.
A valid and unrestricted U.S. driver’s licence is specifically required because of client-site restrictions. Candidates must also be able to obtain a passport and travel internationally.
Requirements
Applicants should be prepared to meet all of the requirements stated in the advertisement:
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Industrial or field-service experience is preferred.
- Experience in power plants, petrochemical, oil and gas, mining, commercial, concrete, sandblasting, hydro-blasting, coating application, painting or manufacturing environments is preferred.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Valid and unrestricted U.S. Driver’s License due to certain client-site restrictions.
- Ability to pass all required IGS training.
- Ability to meet customer-specific training requirements.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs or more multiple times during each shift.
- Ability to walk up and down multiple flights of stairs.
- Ability to climb ladders.
- Ability to work in tight or confined spaces.
- Ability to work on elevated surfaces such as scaffolding.
- Ability to work 12-hour shifts.
- Ability to work day or night shifts.
- Ability to work seven days per week when required.
- Ability to wear a full-face respirator and supplied-air hood PPE for extended periods.
- Comfort working with pressurised equipment and air systems up to 140 PSI or higher.
- Ability to work in confined, dusty and high-temperature environments.
- Ability and willingness to travel for one to four weeks at a time.
- Ability to obtain a passport and travel internationally.
- Ability to comply with IGS and customer-specific safety requirements.
- Ability to pass a DISA background check before employment.
- Ability to pass drug screening before employment and periodically during employment.
- Reliability and regular attendance.
- Flexibility to work overtime when required.
- Ability to work in challenging environments, including refineries, paper mills and power plants.
- Ability to work in South African and international locations.
- Ability to meet the high physical effort and physical-exertion requirements of the role.
Salary or Stipend
The advertisement lists a salary range of ZAR 68.00 to ZAR 120.00 per hour for the Trainee position.
The advert does not provide further details explaining how the hourly rate is determined or whether different rates apply at different stages of training.
No additional employee benefits were listed in the advert.
Important Working Conditions
This is a physically demanding field-based position rather than a conventional office-based trainee role.
Employees may work 12-hour shifts, including day or night shifts, and may be required to work seven days per week. Overtime may also be necessary during peak workloads.
The work can involve refineries, paper mills, power plants and other customer facilities. Conditions may include confined spaces, scaffolding, ladders, extreme temperature variations and dusty environments.
Employees must wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection, and work with pressurised equipment and air systems. The position also involves substantial physical exertion, including lifting 50 lbs or more repeatedly.
Travel is an important part of the role. Employees must be willing to travel for one to four weeks at a time, including internationally.
A valid and unrestricted U.S. driver’s licence is required because of restrictions associated with certain clients. Employees must also be able to obtain a passport for international travel.
Insider Tip
Insider Tip: Candidates should tailor their CV towards practical industrial experience rather than focusing only on academic qualifications. Clearly highlight any experience involving sandblasting, painting, coatings, manufacturing, maintenance, pressurised equipment, safety procedures, power plants, mining or other industrial environments. If you have experience working long shifts, at heights, in confined spaces or with PPE, make those capabilities easy for a recruiter to identify.
How to Apply
The supplied advertisement does not state a specific application method or provide a closing date.
Candidates should therefore use the official application process associated with the IGS vacancy and ensure that their information is complete and accurate before submitting.
Applicants should pay particular attention to the stated driver’s licence, background-check, drug-screening, training, passport and travel requirements before applying.
Because no closing date is provided in the supplied advert, candidates should not delay their application.
Final Thoughts
This opportunity may suit candidates who want to establish a career in industrial coatings, thermal spraying and field-service operations. Applicants with practical industrial experience may have an advantage because the advertisement specifically identifies several relevant backgrounds.
The role can provide hands-on exposure to corrosion protection, coating application, equipment troubleshooting, quality control and industrial safety. It can also provide experience across power generation, petrochemical, mining and other industrial environments.
The salary is advertised at ZAR 68.00 to ZAR 120.00 per hour, while the closing date has not been disclosed in the supplied advertisement. Candidates should review all physical, travel, licensing and screening requirements carefully before applying.
Applicants who meet the requirements should submit their application before the closing date.