About IRAA-SA

Introduction letter - pdf

The South African training and assessment landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years with the introduction of the National Qualifications Framework. Many training programmes in SA have failed to keep up to date with this changing landscape or are desperately trying to hold on to past practices which are not necessarily in the best interests of the industry.

The Rope Access industry, (sometimes known as Twin Rope Access), needed a body focussed on the qualifications needs of the industry in SA , particularly in the light of the gross abuse of workers rights in the industry particularly at the lower levels.

IRAA-SA was formed to try to address the needs and concerns of the many disillusioned workers through an organised labour organisation as well as to make training and assessment more easily attainable.

To this end the IRAA-SA strives to:

Provide a training and assessment infrastructure completely and solely aligned to the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the applicable qualifications registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
Provide the infrastructure for learners to gain access to training material free of charge or at vastly reduced cost
Provide a means to advertise their availability, both as an employer as well as potential employee
Provide advice on training needs and qualifications suited to the South African workplace environment
De-mystify the Rope Access industry and make the understanding of the skills better known
Provide a means for all to provide input into a pool of freely available training & information resources
Provide collective representation for employees in the industry to both statutory and non statutory bodies

IRAA-SA does not aim to replace any of the existing industry bodies, but aims to be a specifically employee focussed industry association making entry into and progress within the industry easier and more cost effective.

Membership of IRAA-SA is not limited to qualified members, but also to those aiming to become qualified in the near future. It is also not limited to active members in the industry but also to inactive members who have a passion to share their knowledge with all in the industry so making the industry stronger. To find out more about joining click here.