DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: NMMU

Introduction

Persons achieving this qualification will be competent to apply engineering principles and problem-solving techniques in the field of electrical engineering by operating within relevant standards and codes.

Take note: After completion of the diploma and a minimum of three years’ industrial experience a candidate may apply to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for registration as a technician.

DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: MANGOSUTHU

Diploma Overview

Some of the duties of electrical and electronics technicians, technologists & engineers entail research, design, development, testing, maintenance, projects and overseeing the development of electronic systems and the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment and devices.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

The work of a Technician is the application of technological knowledge and proven techniques within the context of a specific industrial process.

The tasks of the Electrical Engineering Technician in the workplace could entail ...

• installation
• maintenance
• repair or modification
• measurement and testing
• manufacture of, for example - control equipment, electronic circuits, power line carriers, automatic telephone exchange equipment, etc.
• preparing and supervising maintenance programmes;
• writing and developing computer systems
• designing and building hardware.
• These tasks would be performed on the latest available technologies.

A career in Electrical Engineering not only provides great financial benefits, but immense job satisfaction is derived. Many women, as well as men, enter the world of Electrical Engineering by becoming Technicians.

Education for Electrical Engineering Technicians

In order to become an Electrical Engineering Technician you need to study a three year National Diploma (N Dip) course at technikon.

Technikons require their students to be exposed to “experiential training”. This is an extension to the formal component of the tuition provided and may assume various forms with the object of exposing you to the work environment (ie ethos, organisation, demands, structures, etc) and or extending to you the opportunity for experiential performance within this environment. The object of experiential training is to guide the exploration of an occupation in order to allow you first-hand experience of the demands of the working environment.

You don’t have to go to technikon immediately to become an Electrical Engineering Technician. You can commence your studies at technical college and then move on to technikon to ultimately qualify as an Electrical Engineering Technician.

After obtaining your N Dp at technikon you need to have three years practical experience as an engineering technician-in-training to be able to register as a Registered Engineering Technician. Read about the benefits of Professional Registration under the relevant section in this book.

Technikon diploma courses provide advanced education and training and combine theory and practical training. Emphasis is placed on the job-readiness of students.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement to study the N Dip for Electrical Engineering is usually a Senior Certificate. Two of the subjects have to be Mathematics and Physical Science and one, Language. Not all applicants wishing to enter technikon get accepted because space is limited. To give you a better chance to be successful at obtaining technikon entry is to ensure that your marks are at least a C symbol. This will also make it easier for you to obtain financial assistance for your studies. Some technikons may also have other entry requirements. ENSURE THAT YOU FIND OUT WHAT THESE ARE BEFORE YOU APPLY.

WHAT IS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

An Electrical Engineer Career Path

The work of an Electrical Engineer is mainly intellectual by nature and is not routine. Engineers busy themselves with innovation and problem solving and their education is so directed that they must be able to resolve new problems which they might encounter in future. Engineers are generally the leaders of the manpower team in engineering.

Electrical Engineer Job Descriprion

Design

Development

Research for new and innovative technology to better the life of all. For example improved communication systems, more efficient electricity supply, user-friendly computer hardware and software, new consumer products, etc.

Conceptual planning of projects: For example the planning of a town’s electricity supply, controlling a hydro-electric dam, etc.

High-level management: Electrical Engineers are excellent candidates for high-level management positions in large organisations.

Education: Universities require lecturers to train prospective engineers All Electrical Engineers could also act as mentors to students and young engineers so that expertise and experience is passed on.

The Electrical Engineer as an ENTREPRENEUR

In the modern world Electrical Engineers are increasingly often becoming entrepreneurs - rather than obtaining permanent employment at an organisation. They act as CONSULTANTS to large corporations, municipalities, etc. The are so many avenues in which your OWN BUSINESS can succeed using Electrical Engineering as the basis.

With the many avenues of employment available to choose from Electrical Engineers have the opportunity of earning extremely good salaries. In big organisations very good packages are offered to Electrical Engineers which include excellent salaries, company cars, housing benefits, etc.

When owning your own business, or consulting, or combining various types of jobs, you could make enough money to afford all these luxuries yourself.

A career in Electrical Engineering not only provides great financial benefits, but immense job satisfaction is derived as well as recognition within society.

Many extremely successful business men and women in South Africa, and in the world, are Electrical Engineers.

Qualifications for Electrical Engineers

In order to become an Electrical Engineer you need to follow a Bachelor of Science degree course in Engineering (BSc(Eng)) at a university for four years.

You don’t have to go to university immediately to become an Electrical Engineer. Some of today’s most prominent figures in the Electrical Engineering society commenced their studies at technical college, then moved on to technikon and ultimately qualified as Electrical Engineers at university.

After obtaining your Bsc (Eng) degree at university you need to have three years practical experience whilst registered as an engineer-in-training to be able to register as a Professional Engineer. You can then write the letters PrEng behind your name. Read about the benefits of Professional Registration under the relevant section in this book.

University degree courses are design for advanced learning and the studies are mainly of an academic and theoretical nature. The emphasis is on the application of science and maths in problem identification and solving.

Minimum University Entrance Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement for university to study the Bsc Engineering degree for Electrical Engineering is usually a Senior Certificate with matric exemption and 4 subjects passed on Higher Grade (HG). Two of the subjects have to be Mathematics and Physical Science and one, Language.

Not all applicants wishing to enter university get accepted because space is limited. To give you a better chance to be successful at obtaining University entry is to ensure that your marks are at least a C symbol. This will also make it easier for you to obtain financial assistance for your studies.

All universities have a “points system” and the system is different at each university. There may also be other entry requirements by the university at which you want to study. ENSURE THAT YOU FIND OUT WHAT THESE ARE BEFORE YOU APPLY. Contact the university, at which you wish to study, directly.

For more details on how to become an electrical engineer, please contact the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers