Mechanical Technology April 2016

⎪ Industry forum ⎪

All systems go for the PROTEC Matriculants

their sheer determination to succeed is an attribute we value highly.” PROTEC offers an excellence p r og r amme i n STEM educa t i on (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) that begins in Grade 10, continues through tertiary education and provides support in the early years of the work place. In the school phase, quali- fied PROTEC tutors provide extra tuition on Saturdays and academic studies are supplemented with a World of Work (WoW) and a life orientation programme, computer skills, study assistance and career guidance – a holistic approach to help students achieve their full potential. Learners also convene during school holidays for practical and theoretical tuition. Vacation schools include educa- tional excursions or field trips to expose PROTEC students to the world of work in different industries, including civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. www.protec.org.za to build opportunities,” says councillor Ernest Sonnenberg, mayoral committee member: Utility Services, City of Cape Town. “Such an approach places the City of Cape Town at the forefront of South African metros and will bring us in line with international best practice in terms of development strategies.” “We are providing the City of Cape Town with fully certified IEC compliant switchgear, which includes IEC compli- ance of all components,” says Johnson. “The switchgear will help to increase the safety, reliability and efficiency of the distribution network.” While some components will be brought in from ABB’s global factories, the majority will be manufactured locally at ABB’s modern facility in Longmeadow, Johannesburg. www.abb.com/africa

for a bright future can be realised. PROTEC was established

ABB South Africa has been awarded a three-year framework agreement for its UniGear air-insulated switchgear (AIS) and ZX0.2 gas-insulated switchgear (GIS), from the City of Cape Town. “This is the first time that the City of Cape Town has bought ABB ZX 0.2 gas insulated switchgear for its distribu- tion substations,” says Bryan Johnson, product group manager, MV Switchgear, ABB South Africa. The framework agreement, which is estimated to include 300 panels over the three-year period, includes three portions: extension of existing UniGear switchgear, new UniGear air-insulated switchgear and new ZX0.2 gas-insu- lated switchgear manufactured by ABB Germany, with the associated cable supply and installation to be executed by ABB in South Africa. The agreement is to supply, over 33 years ago, in rec- ognition of the need to im- prove the critical shortage of engineers in South Africa. Through this programme, which runs in conjunction with provincial education departments and with the invaluable support of pri- vate sector funders, more than 30 000 learners from disadvantaged communities are now qualified doctors, engineers, accountants, lawyers, educa- tors and entrepreneurs. “PROTEC is a national non-profit tech- nological career development programme for senior school students. Learners are selected, not only for their aptitude in mathematics and physical Science, but

Top students from the PROTEC Tongaat branch hold up the number of distinctions they achieved in 2015, from left are: Minenhle Mbatha, Nosihle Khumalo, Mpumelelo Mkhosana, Precise Mbense, Akshay Rajkumar, Lungani Ngcobo and Asemahle Nmonelwa.

“With a 96,9% pass rate, versus the national average of 70,7%, PROTEC learners from nine branches around the country, their teachers and corporate funders are still celebrating excellent results,” says Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC, a specialist mathematics, science and technology programme for South African students. “The privilege of a nurturing academic environment has proved to more than 400 PROTEC Matriculants last year, that with hard work, determination and the support of the PROTEC programme, their dreams

New air-insulated switchgear for Cape Town

Wacker Neuson Group expands executive board

At the start of 2013, Cem Peksaglam took on the responsibilities of the outgoing CSO in addition to his own mandate as chairman of the executive board. Under his leadership, the Wacker Neuson Group has gone from strength to strength, reporting record revenues in re- cent years – and 2015 was no exception. The company has now completed its group strategy realignment and is in the process of strengthen- ing the executive board. Jan Willem Jongert (51) will join the execu- tive board in his new role as chief sales officer (CSO). Jongert will be responsible for global sales, service, logistics and marketing activities of the Wacker Neuson Group. Alongside his tasks as CEO, Peksaglam will remain responsible for strategy, mergers and acquisitions, human resources, legal issues, compliance, real estate, investor relations, cor- porate communication and sustainability. “We have made good progress with our international growth strategy in recent years and we are now looking to build on our performance. Jongert is an experienced international sales expert and we are delighted to welcome him to the Executive Board,” says Peksaglam. www.wackerneuson.com

install and commission 12 kV indoor switchgear for distribu- tion infrastructure feeding from main step-down substations throughout the City of Cape Town and surrounding areas. “By continuously invest- ing in infrastructure, we will be encouraging and, indeed, leading growth by always ensuring the physical sup- porting capacity for people

A typical medium voltage ABB gas insulated switchgear installation.

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Mechanical Technology — April 2016