Engineering News | Education & Skills Development

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Education & Skills Development News

UIF TERS payments to resume

By: Simone Liedtke 21st September 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is set to resume its Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits payments on September 21. UIF acting commissioning Marsha Bronkhorst said a payment plan would be run for all outstanding payments for April, May and June over September 21 and 22,... →

ATNS launches virtual Aviation Training Academy

By: Donna Slater 18th September 2020 With Covid-19 restrictions, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) is piloting virtual training through its Aviation Training Academy. ATNS’ Aviation Training Academy offers aviation training to several countries in Africa since it was certified as a training institution in 1996. →

DPWI, AgriSeta partner to train and certify 400 artisans

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th September 2020 The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has partnered with the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSeta) to provide artisan development training to 400 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) participants. Artisan development is often overlooked by school... →

Breathalyser tests should be adapted, not cancelled

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 The misconceptions regarding the potential hygiene risks associated with alcohol breathalyser tests can have a significant negative impact on affected industries, since the safety of staff and expensive equipment can be compromised by intoxicated workers, says alcohol breathalyser and drug... →

RHYS EVANS Lives can be saved and accidents can be avoided if proper alcohol testing continues to be implemented

Acquisition ensures increased OHS offering

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 Facilities management services provider Afroteq Advisory, a subsidiary of holding company AFMS Group, expanded its service offering in the occupational health and safety (OHS) sector by acquiring OHS service provider OHS Africa. Acquired in May this year, the new division, OHSAfroteq, forms part... →

Photo by Adobe
A HEALTHY OUTCOME Covid-19 has put health and safety in the workplace at the top of the agenda

Covid-19 outbreak delays launch of dust suppression system

By: Darren Parker 18th September 2020 Environmental solutions company I-CAT intended to launch a new dust suppression system earlier this year but there were many delays owing to the national lockdown, says I-CAT director Lourens Jansen van Rensburg. “While the Covid-19 national lockdown halted many mining operations, the outbreak... →

A MIST OPPORTUNITY I-CAT’s new misting system launch was delayed because of Covid-19, but the company aims to launch it before the end of the year

Environmental concerns driving industry change

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 A disruptive change is currently underway in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC-R) refrigerant market, global safety science company UL states. →

GOING GREEN Driven by environmental concerns, global promoters are advocating the phase-out of traditional refrigerants in favour of new alternatives with a lower global warming potential

Engineering collaboration assists local development

18th September 2020 Mechanical engineering contractor Brimis Engineering is working together with air conditioning contractor Blue Hemisphere on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installation at the Middelburg Provincial Hospital. →

HVACR industry at a turning point

By: Mamaili Mamaila 18th September 2020 The heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry is at a turning point and it is up to all the innovators in the industry to take the lead and set a new standard for South Africa, multinational air-conditioning manufacturing company Daikin South Africa MD Koen Van... →

KOEN VAN WYNENDAELE Before the Covid-19 outbreak, the industry in general was under pressure owing to a sluggish economy with limited to no growth, a difficult political climate and a tough investment climate

CDH lawyer warns of retrenchment pitfalls

By: Simone Liedtke 17th September 2020 With a continued low economic growth rate and rising unemployment still painting a bleak picture for South Africa, law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH director Jose Jorge warns that companies will “continue to tighten their belts” in the months ahead, meaning more job losses are likely on the... →

UIF announces final TERS application closing dates

By: Donna Slater 15th September 2020 The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has extended the processing of new claims for April to September following consultations with social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council. The new closing dates are final, with the UIF stating that no further applications for that... →

IDC approves R746m for Covid-19 economic relief

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 14th September 2020 Development finance institution, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has approved R746-million and disbursed R440.8-million as part of government’s Covid-19 economic relief measures. Following the onset of Covid-19 in South Africa, the IDC established three interventions in March. →

UIF delays Covid-19 TERS payments to address AGSA audit findings

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th September 2020 The payments for the new and outstanding applications for the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) relief benefits has been halted while the Department of Employment and Labour and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) improve controls as urged by the Auditor General of South... →

Panel provides insight, advice for young engineering professionals

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 11th September 2020 Young engineers entering the workplace must learn the necessary skills to adapt to the workplace and transition from education to practical application, panellists noted during a webinar held as part of the Electra Mining Africa 2020 Connect virtual event, for which Creamer Media’s Engineering... →

Dube-Ncube to inspect Margate Airport renovations

By: Sane Dhlamini 11th September 2020 KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube will visit Margate on Saturday to inspect R10-million worth of renovations at the Margate Airport as the country observes Tourism Month. Dube-Ncube will be accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community... →

KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube

Industry’s wings seemingly clipped

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 South Africa’s economy is hanging by a thread and this has presented massive challenges for the local aerospace industry, says aircraft design organisation Aerodesigns Africa director Murray Spoelstra. →

GLOBAL SIGHTS SET Similar to the local automotive industry that is manufacturing for European countries, so must there be opportunities to manufacture aircraft under licence for foreign companies

Level playing field key to moving industry forward

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 Transformation should be a top priority among the issues that need to be addressed in manufacturing for the aviation industry, says maintenance solutions provider Dynamic Aerotech technical operation and research director Mulalo Neluheni. →

OPEN UP THE INDUSTRY While there is scope for black people with potential to thrive in this space, this needs to take into account the whole value chain in the aerospace industry

Association laments sector decline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 11th September 2020 The aerospace manufacturing sector is in a “freefall” and there does not appear to be any parachute in sight, says industry body Commercial Aerospace Manufacturing Association of South Africa (Camasa) co-chairperson Themba September. →

AIRING IT OUT In its efforts to ensure that the sector returns to its former glory, Camasa has participated in the process of drafting a sector masterplan

Company helps industry meet extra staff demand

By: Cameron Mackay 11th September 2020 Staffing solutions provider Workforce Staffing’s country manager for Botswana Jimmy Samuels says the freight, logistics and warehousing industry is vital to South Africa’s economy, as many other sectors depend on it to operate. Constantly advancing technologies in this industry create a... →

ESSENTIAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS Workforce Staffings has been providing suitable, trained staff for positions on short notice, ensuring that essential services have been operating under lockdown

BEE not at the expense of meritocracy should be part of recovery, says Zungu

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th September 2020 Black Business Council (BBC) president Sandile Zungu on September 10 said black economic empowerment (BEE) had a role to play in turning the economy around. During a webinar hosted by the Covid Business Rescue Assistance task team, Zungu discussed how the implementation of economic recovery... →

DUT, Ithala sign MoU to boost KZN economy

By: Sane Dhlamini 10th September 2020 KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has applauded the recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between her department’s Ithala Development Finance Corporation and the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The signing, according to... →

KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube

Innovation drives mining efficiency, but also accessibility for women

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th September 2020 Even though the mining industry has come a long way in providing more opportunities for women, women still only make up 12% of the industry’s workforce. The adoption of new innovations and technology can contribute to increasing the number of women working in the industry, says Women in Mining... →

B4SA welcomes TERS extension

By: Donna Slater 9th September 2020 Business for South Africa (B4SA) has welcomed Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi’s decision to further extend the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), operated by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), to September 15. Earlier in September, Nxesi said that with the lockdown for some... →

Data key to long-term optimisation, says SAIMC's first-ever female president

By: Simone Liedtke 9th September 2020 Describing data as the “new oil” or “new water” of the world, Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC) president Annemarie van Coller has emphasised the importance of changing data from “just data to insights”. Speaking during an automation-themed webinar hosted... →

SAIMC president Annemarie van Coller gives viewers some insight into the data journey. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

FMF appoints chairperson and deputy

By: Donna Slater 9th September 2020 The Free Market Foundation (FMF) has elected Lawrence Mavundla chairperson during its first meeting of the new board following its election at the FMF annual general meeting on July 29. He is supported by deputy chairperson Johanna McDowall. →

Free Market Foundation chairperson Lawrence Mavundla

Automotive training programme resumes

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 8th September 2020 The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), in partnership with automotive sector enterprise development company Filpro, has resumed its R2-million support programme aimed at growing the competitiveness of 137 informal automotive mechanics in Mdantsane, outside East London. Launched in July... →

4IR a ‘unique opportunity’ for Africa to overcome development hurdles

By: Simone Liedtke 8th September 2020 The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) represents a unique opportunity for African countries to scale development hurdles with the help of technologies, electronics manufacturer Pepperl+Fuchs Africa sales director Marc van Pelt said on September 8. He spoke during an automation-themed webinar,... →

Pepperl+Fuchs Africa sales director Marc van Pelt gives us some more insight into how the Fourth Industrial Revolution represents a unique opportunity for Africa, and South Africa. Video: Creamer Media's Kutlwano Matlala. Editing: Creamer Media's Nicholas Boyd.

German development bank sponsors TVET lecturer training centre

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th September 2020 Germany-based KfW Development Bank has signed an agreement with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to establish an in-service skills development centre for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) lecturers, at the Ekurhuleni East College. The agreement, which... →

Covid-19 TERS payments extended until September 15

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 8th September 2020 Following negotiations at the National Economic Development and Labour Council and the signing of the direction to that effect by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme has been extended until September 15. “With the lockdown for some... →

Photo by Creamer Media
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi

Dube-Ncube congratulates CHEM Energy for opening S Africa’s first fuel cell factory

By: Sane Dhlamini 7th September 2020 KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube has congratulated CHEM ENERGY, a subsidiary of Taiwanese conglomerate CHEM Corporation, which has opened its $200-million fuel cell production factory in KwaZulu-Natal at the Dube TradePort Special... →

Photo by Supplied
CHEM Energy President Angelin Maharaj with KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube at the opening of the first fuel cell opened at the Dube TradePort

Numsa approaches Labour Court about Comair salaries, medical aid standstills

By: Marleny Arnoldi 4th September 2020 The National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (Numsa) has approached the Johannesburg Labour Court for an urgent interdict to compel the management of airline Comair to pay outstanding salaries and continue making medical aid contributions on behalf of employees. A hearing has been scheduled... →

Digital platforms used for lectures

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) launched online learning for students at its Cape Town and Durban welding schools in April after Covid-19 lockdown restrictions prevented students from attending lectures. The students join lectures taking place in Johannesburg through digital... →

Southern African Institute of Welding executive director John Tarboton and business development manager Etienne Nell discuss welding students’ use of simulation and digital training.

Institute developing app for students

By: Halima Frost 4th September 2020 The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) will launch its new Prospectus application (app) for Android and iOS operating systems ahead of 2021’s student registrations. “Prospectus, as the name implies, is a comprehensive guide to all the courses on offer by the SAIW,” says SAIW CEO John... →

PATH FINDER The new Prospectus app being introduced by The Southern African Institute of Welding will help prospective welders chose their career path

Nearly 6 000 Covid-19-related claims lodged with the Compensation Fund

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd September 2020 A total of 5 986 claims have been lodged with the Compensation Fund for persons having contracted the Covid-19 virus while at work. Of this number, 3 782 claims have been submitted directly to the fund and a further 2 009 to Rand Mutual, while Federated Employers received 195 claims. →

SA Innovation Summit to be held virtually

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd September 2020 The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has partnered with the South African Innovation Summit (SAIS) to host the 2020 Innovation Summit virtual event, which will be held from September 30 to October 1. The summit brings together innovation leaders from different countries,... →

CESA’s School of Consulting Engineering forging ahead with virtual courses

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 2nd September 2020 Owing to the global Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, skills development has been severely impacted owing to physical attendance of courses being brought to a halt, says industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa). It notes that this has not deterred the organisation’s School... →

US embassy launches second Africa women entrepreneurs programme

By: Schalk Burger 2nd September 2020 The US Embassy in South Africa has partnered with the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) to implement the 2020/21 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) South Africa programme, which will result in 125 female entrepreneurs selected nationwide for an opportunity to receive... →

Topics In These Articles

Africa Environment Financial Ghana Mining PROJECT Projects Resources Business Flow Gold Health Risk Management Service Systems Efficiency Energy Sustainable Waste Waste Management Water Barcode Design Engineering Industrial Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Motors Pumps System ... more

RSS Feed

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe