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Education & Skills Development News

Measures in place to boost the Western Cape economy

By: Thabi Madiba 7th December 2018 The Western Cape economy remains relatively stable despite challenges affecting consumer spending, says Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Beverley Schäfer. “The province has recorded good gains in employment, and continues to record the lowest expanded unemployment rate in the country.” →

Ramaphosa to announce effective date for national minimum wage in Kliptown

By: African News Agency 6th December 2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday proclaim the effective date for the recently approved national minimum wage, his office said. Consensus on the minimum wage was reached by stakeholders under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) and has been set at... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

SARB sponsors chair to develop financial stability studies portfolio at UCT

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th December 2018 The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has partnered with the University of Cape Town (UCT) to host the Research Chair in Financial Stability Studies, which will be chaired by Professor Co-Pierre Georg. The portfolio will be housed within the African Institute of Financial Markets and Risk... →

Two South African entrepreneurs shortlisted for Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation

By: Simone Liedtke 4th December 2018 Pelebox Smart Lockers and the Hybrid Five-Axis Machine Tool are two South African innovations that have been shortlisted for the Royal Academy for Engineering’s (RAE’s) Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, accelerated by the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi). →

Pelebox Smart Locker system developer Neo Hutiri

Universities excel in Greenovate Property and Engineering Awards

By: Simone Liedtke 4th December 2018 The University of Cape Town (UCT) has won the Greenovate Property Award 2018 and the Greenovate Engineering Award 2018, taking top place in both streams of the prestigious Greenovate Awards. →

The winning UCT team in the Greenovate Property Awards category comprised Michael Inskip, Samantha Johnson and Morgan Knowles, supervised by Saul Nurick and Karen Le Jeune

International nuclear school for Africa successfully held in South Africa for second time

By: Rebecca Campbell 30th November 2018 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that its second South Africa-IAEA Nuclear Energy Management (NEM) School, held in Johannesburg earlier this month, was attended by 23 young professionals from 13 African countries. The School was organised in conjunction with the... →

Regulatory, payment efficiencies needed to support SME jobs

By: Schalk Burger 30th November 2018 The efficiency of securing regulatory compliance and the speed at which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are paid by private companies and public organisations are some of the biggest concerns for small businesses. Small Business Institute chairperson Bernard Swanepoel highlights the... →

Digital disruption to bring core engineering skills to fore

By: Schalk Burger 30th November 2018 Far from posing a threat to engineering as a profession, local engineering experts believe that the digital transformation of industries and of society is amplifying the importance of the core competencies of engineering disciplines and bringing them to the fore. Defining and solving complex... →

Thyssenkrupp Technical Training Academy opens doors in Gauteng

By: Natasha Odendaal 30th November 2018 Engineering and construction company Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions South Africa has officially opened its Technical Training Academy, housed in the group’s Service Centre in Chloorkop, Johannesburg. The R28-million, 1 300 m2 training facility is equipped with a 831 m2 workshop, which houses... →

Proper training, upgrading skills essential in flooring industry

By: Thabi Madiba 30th November 2018 Training plays a significant role in the flooring industry as it reduces the risk and cost implications of replacing products installed incorrectly, says interior flooring supplier and installer Kevin Bates Albert Carpets (KBAC) Flooring senior contracts manager Ian Duncan. The material cost on... →

Flooring project under way in Midrand

By: Thabi Madiba 30th November 2018 Flooring contractor and installation company Combined Flooring is working on a refurbishment project at automaker BMW South Africa’s head office in Midrand, Gauteng, which the company plans to complete before the end of the year. The project started this month and entails the installation of 2... →

WORK IN PROGRESS An installer prepares a floor to install floor covering

First institutional anaerobic digester launched at NPO’s Johannesburg premises

By: Simone Liedtke 28th November 2018 To promote renewable energy as a cost-effective technology in a world facing the impact of climate change and global warming, the University of South Africa, diversified miner Exxaro Resources and the South African National Energy Development Institution on Wednesday launched its first... →

Photo by Simone Liedtke
The University of South Africa, Exxaro Resources and the South African National Energy Development Institution on Wednesday launched its first institutional anaerobic digester at nonprofit organisation EARTH Centre’s premises, in Johannesburg

Ramaphosa signs minimum wage bill into law

By: Reuters 26th November 2018 President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the national minimum wage bill, his office said on Monday, part of efforts by the government to tackle wage inequality in Africa's most industrialised economy. The National Minimum Wage Act sets South Africa's minimum wage at R20 an hour, equal to R3... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Zuma's Nene sacking cost SA 148 000 jobs, 1% of GDP

By: News24Wire 23rd November 2018 Treasury Director-general Dondo Mogajane has told the judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of State capture that when Nhlanhla Nene was removed in 2015 there was a reduction of about R378-billion in market capitalisation on the JSE. "Business confidence was at its lowest following... →

Former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene

Early days for stainless steel in cladding, construction industry

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 The South African stainless steel in construction and cladding market is in an early developmental stage, despite many architectural projects having been completed over the past few decades, says South African Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) Western Cape regional manager Michel... →

INTO FOCUS Stainless steel in cladding construction brings the advantages into focus

Trade wars costly to long-term construction projects

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd November 2018 Owing to the global trade war in steel prices, local manufacturers, such as local steel fabricator Fabcon, are finding it difficult to quote for long-term construction projects. “The stockholding of any steel company is dramatically reduced, as companies are unwilling to hold stock for a longer... →

ANDREW VAN GOOL Companies are unwilling to hold stock for a longer period of time

Vusi Khanyile appointed WWF-SA chairperson

By: Simone Liedtke 16th November 2018 Former Thebe Investment Corporation chairperson Vusumzi (Vusi) Khanyile has been elected the new chairperson of World Wide Fund-South Africa’s (WWF-SA) board of directors at the nongovernmental organisation’s fiftieth annual general meeting. He takes over from Valli Moosa, who has chaired the... →

Newly-elected World Wide Fund-South Africa’s (WWF-SA) chairperson Vusi Khanyile

Upcoming protest not the first amid talks of transition away from coal – SAWEA

By: Simone Liedtke 16th November 2018 The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) has defended the industry’s job creation potential. This comes ahead of a peaceful march by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which is planned for November 17, to protest potential job losses in the coal-fired power generation sector as a... →

All not lost, despite trust deficit between govt, private sector

By: Simone Liedtke 16th November 2018 The current trust deficit between government and the private sector is not just based on the private sector’s belief that nothing can or will be done, but rather on the lack of correctly identifying opportunities when trying to bridge the gap. This sentiment, shared by panellists during a... →

Industry should use slowdown to train staff

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 16th November 2018 The construction industry should use recessions to train staff to gain a competitive edge when work volumes increase, says cement and concrete technical services provider The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology senior lecturer John Roxburgh. “It is crucial to have competent people... →

CONCRETE COGNITION Concrete is extensively used in all civil and construction projects and sound concrete technology knowledge is important

Lack of funding worsens skills shortage

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 16th November 2018 A lack of government funding is exacerbating the shortage of skilled coating technologists and accredited paint applicators, says paint industry representative South African Paint Manufacturing Association (Sapma) executive director Deryck Spence. The Chemical Industries Education and Training... →

LEAD FREE Sapma is advocating for the removal of lead from all paint

Project to have major economic impact

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 16th November 2018 The Motherwell Passenger Rail Corridor (MPRC), one of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) largest rail projects, will have a major economic impact, with significant benefits, says multidisciplinary engineering and architecture company GIBB railway engineering associate Nico... →

MOTHERWELL PASSENGER RAIL CORRIDOR The construction of the railway line and associated infrastructure is scheduled to start in 2022/23

VR reinventing education, training in organisations – BSC

By: Simone Liedtke 14th November 2018 Business Science Corporation (BSC) is reinventing itself as the world moves into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and is focusing on the use of virtual reality (VR) as a cost-effective method of training people. Skills development and the inadequacies of traditional safety training remain... →

Business confidence recovering amid looming challenges

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 9th November 2018 Business confidence in the local valve industry seems to be rising; however, some concerns remain, says South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association (Savama) chairperson Pamela du Plessis. “The concerns include the exchange rate volatility, generally low productivity levels amid... →

LOCAL MANUFACTURE Member companies of the South African Valve and Actuator Manufacturers Association account for about 80% of the valves and actuators manufactured and/or assembled locally

Clear strategy to identify talented individuals first step in developing leaders

By: Schalk Burger 2nd November 2018 Developing diverse and strong leadership teams requires that companies have a well-defined strategy for identifying potential leaders and placing them in challenging roles to empower them to lead within their disciplines, departments and organisations, says power management company Eaton Africa... →

SEYDOU KANE Eaton recognises the importance of a diverse business and leadership

Businesses need increased awareness when managing risks – Dlamini

By: Simone Liedtke 30th October 2018 Given the fact that the world is marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and increasing ambiguity, retail property group Massmart chairperson Kuseni Dlamini on Tuesday suggested that businesses need to be “that much more aware and vigilant in terms of managing risks in the most appropriate... →

Photo by Dylan Slater
Massmart chairperson Kuseni Dlamini

Study examines impact of strikes on South African economy

26th October 2018 Amid continued protest action at chemical and petrochemicals heavyweight Sasol, university-led research foundation the Mandela Initiative has released conclusions on its research into the topic of local strikes and labour unrest. Sasol employees and members of trade union Solidarity have been on... →

Photo by Bloomberg
PROLONGED INDUSTRIAL ACTION Sasol employees and members of trade union Solidarity have been on a go-slow since September of this year

Sasol donates equipment to technical high schools

26th October 2018 Chemical and petrochemicals giant Sasol’s, Sasol Inzalo Foundation (SaIF) earlier this month contributed valuable equipment to technical high schools in Parys and Iketsetseng in the Free State. The donation formed part of the foundation’s Technical Schools of Excellence Network programme, which... →

INVESTMENT IN EXCELLENCE Sasol Inzalo Foundation has invested in equipment for technical high schools to build a pipeline of future artisans, technicians and technologists

Local stainless steel products promoted

26th October 2018 The Southern African Pump Systems Development Association (Sapsda) and Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) continue to promote the local manufacture of stainless steel products such as pumps, valves and sealing systems to compete internationally and stimulate growth.... →

Photo by Dylan Slater
ROLLING Stainless steel is a durable low maintenance material

Company offers consultation on stainless steel grade use

By: Thabi Madiba 26th October 2018 As part of its anchor installer training service, construction industry service and technology provider Hilti South Africa offers consulting on the implications of using different grades of stainless steel as fasteners for anchoring purposes in the construction industry. “We all know stainless... →

ON IT Hilti SA practitioner prepares for anchor installer training

Solidarity Movement to serve court papers on Sasol on Thursday

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd October 2018 On Thursday, thousands of Solidarity Movement members will serve court papers on integrated energy and chemicals company Sasol at its head office in Sandton. The serving of the court documents comes in the wake of a dispute between Sasol and Solidarity over the exclusion of white employees from... →

Global trade and development trends impact on South Africa, present opportunities

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 22nd October 2018 The recently released United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) Trade and Development Report for 2018, entitled ‘Power, Platforms and the Free Trade Delusion’, outlines a number of lessons that South African can learn, and also presents opportunities for the country to... →

New Mpumalanga mall set to spur growth in the area

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 19th October 2018 The R240-million Thulamahashe Mall, in Mpumalanga, a new development between partners Nthwese Developments and Twin City, is set to open on October 25, and is expected to create an economic upswing in the rural area, says Nthwese Developments MD Seabelo Theledi. The development has a gross... →

Artwork of the R240-million Thulamahashe Mall, in Mpumalanga, a new development between partners Nthwese Developments and Twin City

Latest WEF global competitiveness report raises red flags for South Africa

By: Simone Liedtke 17th October 2018 The World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) latest findings in its Global Competitiveness Report for 2018/19 again raised several flags about factors in South Africa’s economic performance, which are having a serious negative impact on its international competitiveness, says North West University... →

Used oil industry offering significant job creation potential, says foundation

By: Simone Liedtke 16th October 2018 Although still relatively young in South Africa, the economic contribution to the country through job creation in the used oil sector is looking very promising, according to a study commissioned by the Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (Rose) Foundation. A survey commissioned by the foundation... →

Seifsa elects ‘most transformed’ board to date

By: Simone Liedtke 15th October 2018 Arabela Holdings executive chairperson Elias Monage has been elected president of the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) and chairperson of its board of directors, with effect from October 12. Monage was elected president during Seifsa’s seventy-sixth annual... →

Mobile tech laboratory using robotics to inspire love of science in children

By: Schalk Burger 12th October 2018 The latest mobile laboratory of the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET) science community engagement project has robotics kits that learners use to build and program robots, thereby inspiring them to pursue careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.... →

i-Set project leader & Unisa lecturer Patricia Gouws discusses the i-Set Programme

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Expertise Agriculture Casting Components Construction Engineering Export Industrial Manufacturing Mining PROJECT Projects Valves Business Financial Sustainable Training transport Service Resources Building Fire SECURITY Systems Aviation Defence Flow Safety Aluminium Bearings International ... more

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