https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Africa|Business|Engineering|Environment|Mining|Resources|Systems|Technology|Training|Equipment|Maintenance|Products|Solutions|Operations
Africa|Business|Engineering|Environment|Mining|Resources|Systems|Technology|Training|Equipment|Maintenance|Products|Solutions|Operations
africa|business|engineering|environment|mining|resources|systems|technology|training|equipment|maintenance|products|solutions|operations

Mechatronics added to training offering

FIRST INTAKE The new mechatronics training course forms part of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Southern African operations’ comprehensive apprenticeship programme

FIRST INTAKE The new mechatronics training course forms part of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Southern African operations’ comprehensive apprenticeship programme

7th May 2021

By: Darren Parker

Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ South African operation has introduced a 12-month mechatronic training programme. The first intake of ten apprentices was in January and the second intake will take place in July.

“There is a shift across the market towards using more intelligent machines. The South African workforce’s skills set is not necessarily well suited to these kinds of machines yet, and it is important to develop the necessary skills to respond to the ever-changing business environment,” explains Sandvik Southern Africa human resources development manager Vusi Mnguni, adding that this programme will ready the workforce for Industry 4.0.

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering that focuses on the engineering of mechanical and electronic engineering systems. As technology has evolved, mechatronics also refers to a combination of engineering in the fields of robotics, electronics, computers, telecommunications, systems, controls, and products, among others.

Mnguni says about 80% of the mechatronics programme currently focuses its content on millwrights because trained millwrights will have had exposure to the electronic and mechanical elements of equipment.

However, other trades are not excluded. One of the reasons why millwrights are favoured for the programme is that they tend to require a shorter training period to successfully transition into becoming mechatronics technicians, Mnguni elaborates.

The training course forms part of Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions’ Southern African operations’ comprehensive apprenticeship programme, which has been running for 20 years.

“We have had a consistent retention rate of about 86%, the bulk of whom are absorbed into the company as employees,” says Mnguni.

Under the apprenticeship programme, the business has trained more than 1 000 participants in various categories of artisanship.

I

ts apprenticeships are based on the idea that 70% of the training should involve some form of practical experience.

Mnguni says some key advantages of experience-based training include a virtual offering in real time and real-world experience, as well as opportunities to practise and acquire competences in maintenance on virtual environments.

“In fact, it goes so far as having the apprentices take apart and rebuild some of the equipment from scratch.”

Sandvik also provides a learnership programme to upskill university graduates in areas such as engineering, finance, marketing, human resources, procurement and legal.

Edited by Nadine James
Features Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Universal Storage Systems (SA)
Universal Storage Systems (SA)

South African leader in Steel -Racking, -Shelving, and -Mezzanine flooring. Universal has innovated an approach which encompasses conceptualising,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.08 0.127s - 142pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now