Physical Planning and Construction Civil Engineering Construction

Specialised Concrete Finishing Techniques Application Training

SAQA US 116559 | NQF 3 | Credits 7 | Duration 4 Days
From $1,107 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with advanced skills to apply specialised concrete finishing techniques in construction and civil engineering contexts. It covers decorative, textured, and high-performance finishes while emphasising quality control, defect prevention, and adherence to safety standards. By mastering these techniques, participants will enhance durability, aesthetics, and functionality of concrete surfaces.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply specialised concrete finishing techniques including stamping, polishing, and exposed aggregate to achieve specified surface textures and patterns.
  • Analyse concrete surface defects and implement corrective actions to ensure quality and durability.
  • Evaluate the suitability of different finishing methods for various environmental and structural conditions.
  • Demonstrate safe handling of tools, chemicals, and equipment in accordance with OHS Act and site regulations.
  • Implement quality control procedures to verify compliance with project specifications and industry standards.

Target Audience

This training is designed for concrete finishers, construction supervisors, and artisans who have basic concrete experience and wish to specialise in advanced finishing methods. It is also suitable for site managers and quality controllers seeking to upskill in high-end concrete applications.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, basic knowledge of concrete mixing and placement is beneficial.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Specialised Concrete Finishing

Objectives:
• Understand the principles and importance of specialised concrete finishing.
• Identify different types of concrete finishes and their applications.
• Recognise safety protocols and quality standards for concrete finishing.
• Select appropriate tools and materials for specialised finishes.

Topics:
• Overview of specialised concrete finishing techniques
• Types of finishes: polished, stamped, exposed aggregate, coloured
• Safety procedures and personal protective equipment
• Quality standards and specifications (SANS 1200 series)
• Tools and equipment: trowels, floats, edgers, grinders
• Material selection: admixtures, sealers, colour hardeners

Day 2: Stamped and Patterned Concrete Finishes

Objectives:
• Demonstrate the process of stamping concrete patterns.
• Apply colour hardeners and release agents correctly.
• Execute proper timing and sequencing for stamping.
• Troubleshoot common issues in stamped concrete.

Topics:
• Preparation of substrate and concrete mix design
• Application of colour hardeners and release agents
• Stamping techniques: mats, rollers, and hand tools
• Timing and sequencing for optimal results
• Joint placement and control
• Common defects: cracking, colour variation, and surface imperfections

Day 3: Polished Concrete and Exposed Aggregate Finishes

Objectives:
• Perform mechanical grinding and polishing of concrete surfaces.
• Achieve desired gloss levels and surface density.
• Apply exposed aggregate techniques for decorative effect.
• Maintain and repair polished and exposed aggregate finishes.

Topics:
• Polishing process: grinding steps, grit progression, densifiers
• Gloss levels: matte, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss
• Exposed aggregate: seeding, surface retarders, washing
• Sealing and protection: penetrating sealers, topical coatings
• Maintenance: cleaning, re-polishing, repair of damaged areas
• Quality control: surface profile, uniformity, durability

Day 4: Advanced Techniques, Project Integration, and Assessment

Objectives:
• Integrate multiple finishing techniques in a single project.
• Apply decorative overlays and micro-toppings.
• Conduct quality assurance and testing of finished surfaces.
• Complete a practical assessment demonstrating competence.

Topics:
• Decorative overlays: stampable overlays, spray textures
• Micro-toppings: application, colouring, and finishing
• Combination finishes: borders, patterns, and logos
• Quality assurance: adhesion tests, moisture testing, curing
• Project planning: scheduling, material estimation, cost control
• Practical assessment: complete a sample panel using multiple techniques

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 08 Sep 2026 Fri 11 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 28 Sep 2026 Thu 01 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 20 Oct 2026 Fri 23 Oct 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 08 Dec 2026 Fri 11 Dec 2026 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 11 Jan 2027 Thu 14 Jan 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Tue 16 Feb 2027 Fri 19 Feb 2027 Virtual Summer 2026 $1,107 Register
Mon 01 Mar 2027 Thu 04 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Thu 18 Mar 2027 Virtual Autumn 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 08 Jun 2027 Fri 11 Jun 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 28 Jun 2027 Thu 01 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 20 Jul 2027 Fri 23 Jul 2027 Virtual Winter 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 06 Sep 2027 Thu 09 Sep 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 28 Sep 2027 Fri 01 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 18 Oct 2027 Thu 21 Oct 2027 Virtual Spring 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 07 Dec 2027 Fri 10 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Mon 27 Dec 2027 Thu 30 Dec 2027 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
Tue 18 Jan 2028 Fri 21 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,107 Register
On-Campus training — face-to-face sessions at our training venues across Africa and beyond.
Showing all 498 sessions across 26 venues
Start End Venue Season Price Action
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Pretoria, South Africa Winter 2026 $1,663 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Dubai, UAE Winter 2026 $4,903 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Cape Town, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,743 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Mauritius Winter 2026 $3,499 Register
Tue 04 Aug 2026 Fri 07 Aug 2026 Johannesburg, South Africa Winter 2026 $2,257 Register
In-House training — we bring the trainer to your organisation, tailored to your team.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Mon 14 Sep 2026 Thu 17 Sep 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 06 Oct 2026 Fri 09 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 26 Oct 2026 Thu 29 Oct 2026 Your Premises Spring 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 14 Dec 2026 Thu 17 Dec 2026 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 19 Jan 2027 Fri 22 Jan 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Mon 22 Feb 2027 Thu 25 Feb 2027 Your Premises Summer 2026 $1,436 Register
Tue 09 Mar 2027 Fri 12 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 15 Mar 2027 Thu 18 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 23 Mar 2027 Fri 26 Mar 2027 Your Premises Autumn 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 14 Jun 2027 Thu 17 Jun 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 06 Jul 2027 Fri 09 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 26 Jul 2027 Thu 29 Jul 2027 Your Premises Winter 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 14 Sep 2027 Fri 17 Sep 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 04 Oct 2027 Thu 07 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 26 Oct 2027 Fri 29 Oct 2027 Your Premises Spring 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 13 Dec 2027 Thu 16 Dec 2027 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Tue 04 Jan 2028 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Mon 24 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,436 Register
Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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