Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Boschmans Colliery is, as is the case in the rest of the mining industry, heavily reliant on skilled persons in the Engineering discipline to install and maintain the machinery and infrastructure required for the production of a saleable product. Historically, apprentices were recruited from the ranks of school leavers and were given a good, albeit somewhat condensed training to qualify them as artisans. Artisans on their own are however not able to accomplish the tasks at hand and are therefore assisted by artisan assistants. Artisan assistants were historically recruited from the ranks of the unskilled, and in many instances, illiterate masses and were reliant on an unstructured process of on the job training while working under the direct supervision of an artisan. Given the complexities of modern coal mining machinery, the high cost of labour and training, the inherent dangers associated with the mining process and the requirements of the legislative framework, the current approach whereby all the Engineering skills are concentrated in a select few is no longer acceptable. The current system of apprentice training shortcomings are highlighted and a new system of training Engineering employees from the entry level onward is proposed.