Polytech Africa assists EM to develop critical skills pool for Industry 4 0

8 April 2019
Polytech Africa, a B-BBEE Level 4 start-up engineering consultancy/projects and training specialist, has teamed up with leading supplier ElectroMechanica (EM) to assist in developing critical skills necessary for Industry 4.0 to be adopted successfully in South Africa.
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application/msword iconPolytech Africa assists EM to develop critical skills pool for Industry 4 030 KBDownload
PreviewDHET Director David Mabusela commended EM and Polytech Africa on this important collaboration.557.09 KBDownload
PreviewDHET Director David Mabusela, Richard Nobbs, Astrid Straussner, and Andrew Nobbs.652.86 KBDownload
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PreviewThe Mechatronics Academy will focus on the NQF Level 2 learnership.528.27 KBDownload

Polytech Africa MD and Founder Astrid Straussner stressed the importance of this at the official launch event of the Mechatronics Academy on Thursday 28 March at EM’s Wynberg Campus. “Educational institutions cannot be islands on their own, and require the cooperation of both the government and the private sector.”

Straussner added: “Here is where EM’s active involvement is so crucial, as it is important that students are exposed to the latest products and developments, especially given the fact that Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things are a reality in South Africa.

The Mechatronics Academy was fast-tracked when EM met Straussner officially about six months ago. “We were able to formalise a partnership between EM and Polytech Africa. Straussner’s passion and undeniable track record in academia and training, as well as her real drive for quality and excellence, was something that really resonated with EM,” Director Andrew Nobbs said at the launch.

Straussner said her long-held dream to establish such a specialised training facility was ultimately realised with the involvement of EM. “The Mechatronics Academy has come about at just the right time, because Industry 4.0 is here to stay. We can try to put our heads in the sand and pretend it does not exist, but we are going to have to get on this particular bandwagon or be left behind. And the only way to achieve this is to ensure we have proper training in place to deliver the skills we will need.”

Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Director David Mabusela gave the keynote address at the launch. “It is indeed a pleasure for the DHET to have been invited to this launch, which responds to our call for technological innovation to have a more expanded space in the education and training environment.

“On the other hand, we are also working with the Department of Basic Education to address the many gaps at that level. For Industry 4.0 to have any chance of success, especially in a developing country like ours, we need to pay more attention not just at a higher level, but also at early learning and development. This is to ensure that our learners have the dual advantage of familiarity with, and experience of, technology.”

Mabusela stressed that business had a key role to play in not only disseminating innovation, but also in providing training and employment opportunities. He concluded: “Our central message is that both the DHET and the Ministry strongly support this venture. It supports the main aim of our National Development Plan of stimulating economic growth, based on skills development and training. This will allow us to address some of the social challenges facing us, including unemployment.”

The Mechatronics Academy is the first training facility of its kind to be accredited by the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA). It will focus on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 2 learnership.

This is based on essential aspects of precision mechanical engineering, electronics, and computer design systems used to control and automate mechanical products with electrical signals. EM’s specialised products in this regard include its Delta industrial automation range.

Upon completion of the NQF Level 2 qualification, certificate holders will be able to gain entry to highly-skilled sectors such as mechanical and electrical engineering, pneumatics and hydraulics, robotics, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Computer Numeric Control (CNC), industrial Information Technology (IT), the automotive sector, and also precision welding.

Ends

Notes to the Editor

To download hi-res images for this release, please visit http://media.ngage.co.za and click the ElectroMechanica link to view the company’s press office.

About ElectroMechanica
ElectroMechanica was established in 1984 by David van den Berg as a specialised direct importer and wholesale distributor of high-end industrial electrical products, motor control switchgear and electronic automation products. A wholly-owned South African company, ElectroMechanica offers its clients state-of-the-art products, sourced from leading local and international brands, all complying with recognised international safety standards and performance specifications.

ElectroMechanica Contact

Karen Zotter

Phone: (011) 249 5000

Fax: (011) 496 2779

Email: karenz [at] em [dot] co [dot] za

Web: www.em.co.za

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NGAGE Public Relations

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Fax: 086 512 3352

Cell: 079 425 4914

Email: thapelo [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za

Web: www.ngage.co.za

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