Modern Quarrying January-February 2017

AROUND THE INDUSTRY

Engineers concerned about infrastructure spend The recent PPS Graduate Professional Index conducted among 400 South African engineers, indicates that only 4,0% of the respondents believe that the South African government is effectively delivering on its promises on infrastruc- ture spend. The survey was conducted by PPS, the financial services provider focused on graduate professionals. According to Motshabi Nomvethe, should be given the opportunities to work with the State.” According to Nomvethe, it was, how- ever, extremely positive to note that 64% of the respondents indicate that they would encourage their children to enter the engineering profession, with 51% stating that it is because the skills are really needed in South Africa. When it comes to training of engi-

New MD for Babcock Previously Babcock’s sales director of Babcock, Dave Vaughan has been appointed MD – Equipment for the com- pany. He has been with Babcock since 2005 when he joined the company as a regional general manager. Babcock’s equipment business manages the exclusive distribution and support of leading international equip- ment brands in Southern Africa, includ- ing Volvo construction equipment, Terex Trucks, Tadano and Sennebogen cranes, Winget concrete handling equipment and SDLG construction equipment. “With indications of recovering commodity prices, our customers are positive about the outlook for 2017,” Vaughan says. “I have a single goal in mind, and this is to focus on customer service. To this end we will be restruc- turing our regions in the first quarter of 2017 to provide our customers with a quicker turnaround time on service and parts.” www.babcock.co.za

neers, Rimbault explains that it might be worthwhile to include a form of national service as part of the engi- neering degrees, as per the community service year that is a requirement of medical degrees. “Should a newly-grad- uated engineer conduct a year’s service with the Public Works Department, they will obtain invaluable experience that can only be taught out in the field. A pro- gramme of this magnitude would ensure that all our young engineers enter the profession with a foundation of basic experience, which means they can then contribute in a business environment from day one.” When it comes to employment, Nomvethe notes that 36% of the survey respondents are concerned that unem- ployment in the country will encourage skilled professionals to work overseas. Rimbault believes that engineers should consider moving into positions within the small andmedium-sized enter- prises in South Africa as an alternative. “A small manufacturing company might need a professional to give input on their systems. Seasoned engineers will be able to contribute greatly to these types of businesses, which in turn will allow South African businesses to improve their reve- nue through improved systems. “Every economy in the world needs as many skilled engineers as possible and universities can never over-pro- duce engineering graduates. We have to encourage youngsters to study toward an engineering degree and to get rele- vant experience soon after they gradu- ate,” he concludes. www.pps.co.za It has been suggested that it might be worthwhile to include a form of national service as part of the engineering degree, as per the community service year that is a requirement of medical degrees.

technical marketing specialist at PPS, 91% of the respondents indicated that they do not think that the government will meet their infrastructure objectives as set out in the National Development Plan (NDP). In its NDP, government states that by 2030 key services such as com- mercial transport, energy, telecommuni- cations and water has to be strengthened to ensure long-term sustainability. Commenting on the results Vaughan Rimbault, CEO of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE), says that we need proactive collaboration between the government and engineering professionals to counter these issues.“The government is the big- gest potential client for any engineering company, so when massive construction projects are rolled out it is vital that engi- neers with the right engineering skills are chosen to do these projects. Improved collaboration between the government and engineering associations will facili- tate communication and in turn encour- age support from these professionals to have more faith in government’s infra- structure expenditure.” Rimbault states that government also has a responsibility to employ local South African businesses to handle these big projects rather than employing skills from overseas.“There is an abundance of engineering talent in South Africa that

Customer-oriented: Dave Vaughan, MD for Babcock’s equipment business.

IQSA diary Please diarise the following Institute of Quarrying Southern Africa events:

AGM Conference and Exhibition at Coastlands Hotel, Umhlanga: April 20-21

Golf Day: August 1

September Conference: September 14-15

End of Year Function: November 2

www.iqsa.co.za

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MODERN QUARRYING

January - February 2017