- Grand prize winner receives three and a half year Mechatronics/Electronics apprenticeship in Berlin worth over R1million
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Three further local bursaries in Mechatronics/Electronics, tablets and science kits to learners and schools
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Siemens is committed to supporting and developing African innovators
Young innovators gathered in Johannesburg to showcase their ingenious science projects that have the potential to change the future of Africa. Siemens participated as a premium contributor, supporting the expo with one of the biggest prizes of the event and one that will change the life of a learner.
Living in the age of digitalization means that science, technology and innovation is ever evolving, the Internet of Things (IoT) has the ability to make manufacturing processes for example, simpler, faster and more efficient and it will be the job of future engineers to not only optimize these processes, but also to innovate and create new ones.
It is with this in mind that innovative tech leader; Siemens has yet again changed the life of a young African innovator at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. Brad Etienne Spies, a learner from D.F Malherbe High School in Port Elizabeth was announced as the recipient of a three and a half year Electronics/Mechatronics apprenticeship at the Siemens Technical Academy in Berlin, worth R1 million and a guaranteed job at Siemens in South Africa after completion.
The apprenticeship is an academic and vocational training program, which will afford the incumbent an opportunity to take part in a high-level training course in Berlin. Over a three year and a half year period, Brad will learn valuable theory at the Siemens Professional Education Vocational School, and then put what he/she’s learnt into practice at the training center in Berlin. He will also have the opportunity to work on some of the most advanced digital technologies in the engineering field.
CEO for Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa, Sabine Dall’Omo says, “Investing in the future of young, African engineers and innovators is part of the Siemens DNA. Our continent can only prosper if we empower and develop our young engineers and those who can make a change in Africa, for Africa. This is a unique opportunity promoting both international and multicultural exposure within Siemens while advancing the skills Siemens would require in the future.”
Two other students from Limpopo who presented commendable projects received full university bursaries worth over R1million from Siemens. Other prizes from the company included science kits and tablets. All the winners were announced at a gala evening on the 5 October 2018.
“Siemens has a longstanding partnership with the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. Our collaboration is focused on the commitment to investing in and developing the skills of our future engineers, for the long term. For us, it is about creating a lasting legacy in Africa,”