Martin Taverner, Regional Manager for the Siemens Southern Africa in Port Elizabeth, says that in terms of the programme, the Newton and Daniel Pienaar Technical High Schools each invested in two sets of Siemens LOGO! training kits, following which a further four sets were donated free of charge to each institution.

“A relatively small investment in automation training equipment from each school has resulted in a three fold contribution from Siemens and the NMMU,” says Taverner. “Each school is now equipped to train learners on Automation Logic Controllers, give them a basic understanding of the Electrical Environment and promote creation and innovation with these learners.”

Taverner says that as there is a definite shortage of electrical engineering expertise in the Eastern Cape, initiatives like this will ensure that learners benefit from a more comprehensive training programme before they go out into the industry.

“The offer to give students exposure to industry will help them make the correct career choice,” says Jakobus Potgieter, Deputy Principal at Newton Technical High School. “We are thankful for Siemens’ and the NMMUs’ involvement in our school.”

“It is wonderful to see Siemens and the NMMU getting involved with Technical High Schools to give pupils early exposure to the industry,” says Sampie Marais, Head of the Department of Electrical Technology at the Daniel Pienaar Technical High School. “We as teachers are grateful for the opportunity to use this great equipment in preparing pupils to become aware of the needs required in the industry.”

Siemens and the NMMU have developed their relationship over the past four years to ensure that all the students learning at the University are trained on the latest technologies available. The company’s highly popular annual Cyber Junkyard competition is also provides a major boost to universities across the country with prizes and donations of electrical engineering equipment helping boost the capacity of these institutions to provide a high standard of practical training to their students.

“The School of Engineering at the NMMU has a formal partnership with Siemens Southern Africa that has enabled the school to become involved in the industry training as well as student project development,” says Karl du Preez, former HOD of Mechanical Engineering at the NMMU. “The Sponsorship to the Technical High Schools is directly due to this partnership and will hopefully assist in learners at these schools to be more prepared for tertiary studies. There is definite need for industry to assist teaching institutions with facilities to train learners in the latest technologies available, which creates a good grounding for the learners and encourages informed decision making when going into the engineering fields.”

According to Taverner, Siemens and the NMMU plan to continue this drive to more Technical High Schools in the Eastern Cape over the next few months, a move supported by Professor Kotie Grove, executive director of the NMMU Trust, who says the contribution by Siemens towards skills training at underprivileged schools and institutions is just what is needed to address the dire skills shortages in South Africa.

“It is the commitment and vision of companies such as Siemens to worthwhile projects such as this one initiated by NMMU that will go a long way to addressing our country's problems and creating a powerful future generation,” he says.

About Siemens Southern Africa:

Siemens has had a presence in South Africa since 1860 when the company installed the first telegraph line linking Cape Town and Simon’s Town. Today, Siemens offers a balanced portfolio of technologies focusing on the Industry, Energy and Healthcare sectors, together with the cross-sector business of Siemens IT Solutions and Services. The unique ability to offer horizontal, customised, end-to-end technology solutions enables Siemens to keep its customers one-step ahead. As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens has active corporate social investment programmes as well as a comprehensive approach to local content, manpower development, skills and training. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.co.za

The Siemens Industry Sector is the worldwide leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR38 billion. www.siemens.com/industry