Resource
FET period plan
` and 60 minute period plans for shared trays.
Who uses FET period plans
FET period plans are built for workshop facilitators, technical teachers, and trade instructors at South African colleges. If you run a class of ten at Ekurhuleni West, or coordinate shared gear at a Durban North FET, this plan keeps everyone working. Shared trays, think combined kits for CNC, laser, or vinyl, are typical where benches rotate every period. The plan is written for the realities of the Highveld, with time for tool resets, dust extraction, and students swapping gloves or goggles. Mall-based training bays at Menlyn or Tyger Valley often use the same plan to squeeze the most out of short rotations.
How to use each step and field
Each period plan is timed for either 40 or 60 minute lessons, chosen to match standard college timetables. The fields include: tray name (e.g., CNC1, Laser3), tool set (listed by local brand if possible, like a Ryobi saw or an imported Honeycomb bed), session number, and prep actions. For example, it’s not uncommon to need to vacuum out aluminium chips from a CNC tray between groups. The step-by-step guide includes when to hand over to the next team and how to log any tool snags or breaks in the shared record book.
You’ll notice there's a slot to note power cuts. A power cut isn’t an excuse for lost periods, so the plan explains how to swap trays for offline tasks, like weeding vinyl or sanding ply. Fill in each session field as you go, its important not to trust memory after a noisy afternoon.
Worked example: 60 minute session for a laser tray
Let's say you’re running a Grade 12 design practical at Buffalo City FET. You’ve got a shared laser tray labelled Laser A, stocked with a mid-range machine, MDF blanks, and an exhaust. Your 60 minute plan starts with five minutes for sign-in and safety. Next, 10 minutes to align material and warm up the laser. Thirty minutes for students to cut project parts in rotation, the plan suggests grouping by pairs, not individuals, to avoid downtime. In the final 15 minutes, allow for clearing scrap, completing the record sheet, and swapping out the bed for the next session. If there’s a hiccup, like a power trip or too many offcuts, jot that in the notes.
Common mistakes with shared tray schedules
A common mistake is leaving out prep and cleanup turns, so the first group of the day spends half its time stuck sorting tools or cleaning up from the previous lot. Students sometimes mix up trays, so make sure each tray is labelled clearly and log who used what. Its easy to forget to check PPE like dust masks when you’re in a rush. Remember, consistent records help you argue for parts budgets at year-end reviews.
For shops using older gear, mark out which trays can handle new composite boards and which must stick to plywood only, this avoids jams or costly blade changes.
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