Africa has been pegged as one of the key hubs for development in the future and the availability of engineering skills will be critical in the implementation of much-needed new infrastructure on the continent. South Africa, in particular, is experiencing a period of booming infrastructure development with projects such as State-owned power utility Eskom’s new power stations, the soccer stadiums for the FIFA World Cup, the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and public transport infrastructure development, such as the Gautrain, the bus rapid transit system, in Johannesburg and the City of Cape Town’s integrated rapid transit system.

Science and engineering qualifications are required in almost every single sector in the South African economy. In fact in some, like the mining and metals sector, related degrees all the way from engineering, applied mathematics, physics, chemistry, information technology and the biological sciences are represented.

Beatrys Lacquet, Wits University Nomaphelo, ex-UCT student, says… Nomaphelo Ndzundzu, who holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from UCT, is currently employed at Eskom’s Koeberg Nuclear Power Station.

A dire shortage of scientists and engineers means graduates in these areas are practically guaranteed good salaries and rapid career advancement. Useful science and engineering Web sites South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE)- Web site: www.

As one of an elite group of South Africans with a science or engineering degree, you’re virtually guaranteed a job next year. Don’t let your qualification go to your head, though: employers are hungry for skills but they’re not taking just anybody.

As one of an elite group of South Africans with a science or engineering degree, you’re virtually guaranteed a job next year. Don’t let your qualification go to your head, though: employers are hungry for skills but they’re not taking just anybody.

Name: Janine Meyer Age: 23 Job Title: Powders Packing Unit Manager Company: Unilever HPC What is your educational background? BSc Mechanical Engineering Describe an average workday: My workday consists of aligning all resources to ensure we meet the required output reliability, efficiency and TPM targets.

Name: Derick Dreyer Age: 28 Job Title: Milling Section Engineer- Roodepoort Company: Holcim South Africa (Pty) Ltd What is your educational background? B. Eng. Mechanical (University of Pretoria) Currently doing a Masters in Business Administration at Bond University Describe an average workday: Working in a 24 hour production environment always requires the responsible engineer to be aware and informed about the production and equipment performance of the plant.

An engineering qualification is highly sought after in South Africa at the moment. According to the HSRC’s Human Resources Development (HRD) Review 2003, growth in the demand for labour in the engineering sector is largely dependant on the industry’s output and is therefore expected to rise moderately.

Courtesy: Anglo Platinum Mechanical and Electrical Engineers are employed in all industries and, although the fundamentals of their jobs in all industries are the same, there are some distinctive features to the role depending on the specific industry.

Courtesy: Accenture Every year Accenture undertakes a recruitment drive on campuses across South Africa – we typically target high performers in the final year of their Commerce, Science and Engineering degrees. Why do Management Consultancies recruit engineers?

By: Professor Raymond Nkado Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of the Witwatersrand With the demand for professional engineers in South Africa set to escalate in line with economic growth over the next 10 years, it is refreshing to observe the simultaneous influx of engineering students at higher education institutions.

Name: Nicola Wells Age: 22 Job Title: Process Metallurgist in Training Company: Columbus Stainless What is your educational background? Beng in Metallurgical Engineering Describe an average work day: I am responsible for the quality of the products that are produced in my section of the plant.

Name: Simphiwe Mzobe Age: 23 Job Title: Engineering Assistant Company: National Brands Ltd – Westmead Factory What is your educational background? I passed matric with distinction in year 1997 and obtained a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in year 2002.