New CAPS Subjects: Civil Technology

Civil Technology is among the 13 subjects that were introduced as Elective Occupation Subjects. Elective Occupational subjects give students a pathway to be work-ready as soon they complete High School.

What Subject Is Civil Technology

This subject focuses on concepts and principles in the building and construction industry. It also targets the technology that is used in this industry. The Civil Technology subject emphasises the practical application of scientific principles as well as the sustainable use of the natural environment.

The subject explores the following areas:

Civil services
Construction
Woodworking

What Is The Aim Of Civil Technology?

The aim of the Civil Technology subject is to equip learners from Grade 10 – 12 with the skills and knowledge of Civil Technology to create a career for themselves. This career pathway should enable them to enter any of the following after completing their Matric:

Further Education and Training College – NC (Vocational)
University of Technology
Learnership
Apprenticeship (to become an artisan)
Look for employment opportunities
Be your own boss

What Are The 13 New Subjects?

Here are the new Elective Occupational Subjects:

What Topics Will I Study In Civil Technology?

In the Civil Technology subject, you will study the following topics:

Methods of construction of joinery
Methods of installation of joinery
Designing of wooden structures for buildings
Methods of sustaining wooden installations in a building
Tools and equipment used in the building industry
Woodwork joints
Roof construction
Materials: properties and uses
Construction: from foundation to wall plate level
Applied mechanics
Steel structures
Quantity surveying
Graphics and communication
Sewage and storm-water disposal
Water supply
Sanitary fittings and fitments
Hot water systems
Reticulation systems

What Will I Learn?

You will study the Civil Technology subject for three years, that is:

Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12

Grade 10

Here is what you will learn in Grade 10:

TOPIC	CONTENT
SAFETY	Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) – Personal and general safety for power and hand tools Safe storage of material and equipment
GRAPHICS AND COMMUNICATIONS	Orthographic projections Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Symbols used in building drawings
MATERIALS	Properties of materials Metals Timber Concrete and concrete products Bricks and plastics
EQUIPMENT	Use, safe handling and care of hand and power tools Basic site equipment Measuring and setting out tools Bricklaying and woodwork tools
TERMINOLOGY	Correct application of terminology in every lesson
APPLIED MECHANICS	Knowledge and understanding of SI units The difference between mass and weight Introduction to beams
CONSTRUCTION	Concrete: mix proportions, grades, testing Waterproofing: materials for floors and walls Excavations: setting out, timbering Woodworking: hard and soft woods, seasoning, sizes Finishing: material, thickness and finishes to screeds
CIVIL SERVICES	Materials, storage and distribution of cold water supply Introduction to sewerage: materials, regulations and abbreviations Introduction to stormwater disposal: materials and regulations Introduction to electrical systems: kick pipes only
QUANTITIES	Conversion: SI units Quantities for the sub-structure of a dwelling
JOINING	Joining other materials to brickwork Materials used to join timber to timber Methods of joining materials used for cold water supply

Grade 11

Here is what you will learn in Grade 11:

TOPIC	CONTENT
SAFETY	OHSA – Personal and general safety Safe storage of material Fire-fighting and prevention of fires
GRAPHICS AND COMMUNICATIONS	Sketches of building components CAD application
MATERIALS	Use of materials in the built environment
EQUIPMENT	Use, safe handling and care of hand and power tools Plastering and plumbing tools Construction machinery
TERMINOLOGY	Correct application of terminology in every lesson
APPLIED MECHANICS	Graphic determination of the solutions for force diagrams Calculation of shear forces and bending moments Drawing of diagrams of shear force and bending moments Calculation of centroids of squares
CONSTRUCTION	Concrete: beams, columns and cantilevers Plaster: mix proportion and application. Brickwork and block work Waterproofing: for windows, doors and walls. Form work: materials, columns, stairs, scaffolding Excavations: types and uses of shoring Woodworking: mouldings, doors and windows,
CIVIL SERVICES	Basic plumbing in a house, materials, hot water systems Sewerage layout for a building Calculation of invert levels Colour coding Disposal of stormwater and regulations Positioning of distribution board and conduit
QUANTITIES	Method of extracting quantities for the substructure and superstructure of a dwelling
JOINING	Methods of joining timber and aluminium windows and doors to brickwork woodworking joints Copper pipe joints: capillary and compression

Grade 12

Here is what you will learn in Grade 12:

TOPIC	CONTENT
SAFETY	Application and regulation of OHSA pertaining to personal safety, hand and power tools
GRAPHICS AND COMMUNICATIONS	Sketches of building components, vertical section of building and building components, isometric views of parts of buildings Completion of the plan for a dwelling CAD application
MATERIALS	The sustainability of materials according to their appropriate use and nature (preservation, painting, curing, electroplating, powder coating and galvanising)
EQUIPMENT	Use, safe handling and care of hand and power tools
TERMINOLOGY	Correct application of terminology in every lesson
APPLIED MECHANICS	Graphic determination of the solutions for force diagrams Calculation of shear forces and bending moments Drawing of diagrams of shear force and bending moments Calculation of centroids of squares
CONSTRUCTION	Concrete: purpose and positioning, ready mixed concrete, rib and block floor, reinforcing in concrete, drywall construction Brickwork and block work Waterproofing: for floors, roofs and walls Woodworking: mouldings, ceiling construction, doors and windows, preservation, cutting list, roof trusses Roof covering: Types and methods of installation
CIVIL SERVICES	Cold water supply Plumbing for a house Hot water systems Solar systems Alternate fresh water supplies Sewerage layout for a building Sewage disposal Regulations
QUANTITIES	Method of extracting quantities for a one-bedroom dwelling
JOINING	Joining roof trusses to brickwork Bolts, screws, nails, gang nails, galvanised straps Thread joints and PVC adhesives

What Skills Can I Develop With Civil Technology?

With the Civil Technology subject, here are some of the skills that you can gain:

Safe working practices
Good housekeeping
First aid practices
Interpretation of working drawings
Installation of structures
Working with accurate measurements
Workshop practice

What Are The Career Opportunities In Civil Technology?

Here are some of the careers opportunities in Civil Technology that you can consider:

Carpenter and Joiner
Bricklayer
Tiler
Painter
Plumber
Drainlayer
Roof Specialist
Cabinetmaker
Shutter hand
Building Inspector
Quantity Surveyor
Architect
Draughtsman
Building Surveyor
Building Technician
Civil engineer
Structural Engineer
Civil Technology Teacher

How Will I Be Assessed?

The assessment of the Civil Technology subject will be composed of the following:

Tests
Examinations
Practical Assessment Task (PAT)

Tests

The design of the tests covers the content of the subject and include a variety of tasks designed to achieve the objectives of the subject

Examinations

For Grades 10, 11 and 12, the three-hour end-of-year examination in Civil Technology (200 marks) comprises 50% of a learner’s total mark. In the Grade 12 examination, only Grade 12 content will be assessed. However, prior knowledge from Grades 10 and 11 may be necessary to interpret and answer some questions.

Practical Assessment Task (PAT)

In all grades, each learner must do a PAT for the year. All PAT’s will be moderated externally. PAT’s are evaluated in the following format:

Design portfolio – 25%
Working drawings – 25%
Artefact – 50%.

What Is A School Subject?

A school subject is an area of learning within the school curriculum that makes up a field of knowledge. This field of knowledge can be practised and taught by a competent teacher within the school system. For example, Civil Technology is a school subject. Other examples of school subjects are Mathematics, History, Geography and Physics.