Prof. Andries Pretorius

Pr. Andries Pretorius is a distinguished academic, assessor, and technical training expert with a distinguished 37-year career at the nexus of high-level education, skills development, and industry application. His unique profile combines deep academic credentials—including a PhD focused on best practices in cooperative education from IMC, Buckingham, England, and an MBA—with the hands-on qualification of a “Red Seal” electrician, enabling him to expertly bridge theory and practical execution.

Pr. Pretorius possesses extensive experience in the strategic design, accreditation, and delivery of technical and management training programs. He has been instrumental in establishing, commissioning, and accrediting Skills Trade Centres in South Africa and Ghana, and holds accreditations as an Assessor and Moderator for multiple Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in South Africa, as well as for the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). His expertise encompasses building certified training and trade test panels, developing curricula, and facilitating courses ranging from Electrical Engineering and Mechatronics to MBA and PhD-level management programs for institutions such as North-West University and Wintech Professional Institute.

A recognized scholar, he has presented his research on cooperative education and training at international forums in the USA, Jamaica, and Australia, and serves on the review board for postgraduate programs. His professional excellence has been acknowledged with the prestigious U.S. President’s “Call to Service Award” in both 2011 and 2015 for his contributions to community skills development. Pr. Pretorius is a strategic leader known for his holistic approach to organizational development, his ability to translate legislative requirements into effective training strategies, and his commitment to building high-performance teams and fostering innovation in skills education across Africa and beyond.