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Civil Engineer and
Civil Engineering Technician

Civil engineers conduct research and advise on, design and direct construction, and manage the operation and maintenance of civil engineering projects/structures (e.g. roads, buildings, dams, etc.).

Civil engineering technicians perform technical tasks connected to civil engineering research as well as the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and other structures.

Job Characteristics

    Civil Engineer

  • Conducting research and developing new or improved theories and methods related to civil engineering.


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  • Advising on and designing structures such as bridges, dams, docks, roads, airports, railways, canals, pipelines, waste-disposal and flood-control systems, industrial and other large buildings.


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  • Determining and specifying construction methods, materials and quality standards, and directing construction work.


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  • Establishing control systems to ensure the efficient functioning of structures as well as safety and environmental protection.


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  • Locating and correcting malfunctions.


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  • Organising and directing maintenance and repair of existing structures.


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  • Advising on technological aspects of particular materials.


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  • Maintaining technical liaison and consultancy with other relevant specialists.

Civil Engineering Technician

  • Providing technical assistance with regard to the construction of buildings and other structures.


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  • Representing building architects and civil engineers on construction sites to ensure compliance with design, specification and maintenance of desired standards of material and work.


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  • Assisting with the operation of detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects according to specifications given.


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  • Organizing maintenance and repairs.

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Requirements

Secondary Education
Possession of a HIGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification (above average marks), with matriculation exemption is required to study at South African universities (in order to register as professional engineer). A HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is required for admittance to all South African technikons besides Technikon SA (for those pursuing a career as civil engineering technician). This diploma leads to the B. Tech. degree in civil engineering.

The B. Sc. (Eng.) degree can be studied at UNAM as a five-year programme for IGCSE entrants or four years for HIGCSE entrants with appropriate passes. The first two years are spent at this university and the rest of the years at selected universities in Southern Africa.

A HIGCSE/IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, 25 points on the Polytechnic’s point evaluation scale, as well as 18 points on the engineering evaluation scale, is required for admittance to the N. Dip.: Engineering: Civil as offered by the Polytechnic.

Currently, admittance to that course can also be gained if the candidate has passed at least four subjects on N3 level, including Mathematics and a Physics-related subject (40%). In both cases, at the Polytechnic, the person must also gain entrance into the English Communication module 2 through a proficiency test.

Compulsory subjects
Mathematics, Physical Science on HIGCSE level (South Africa)

Mathematics (at least a C-symbol on IGCSE level) and 3 other subjects with C-symbols (UNAM)

Mathematics and a Physics-related subject (Polytechnic)

Tertiary Education
The South African Universities of Natal, Durban Westville, Cape Town, Pretoria, RAU, Stellenbosch and Witwatersrand offer degrees (B. Eng., B. Sc.) in Civil Engineering. After a training period of three years, registration as professional engineer (B. Eng., B. Sc) and incorporated engineer (B. Tech.) with the Engineering Council of Namibia is possible.

A three-year N. Dip. (or four-year B. Tech.) in Civil Engineering can be pursued at various South African technikons (e.g. Witwatersrand, Pretoria, Natal, Cape, ML Sultan, Vaal Triangle). The Polytechnic of Namibia offers a N. Dip.: Civil Engineering, where students engage in four semesters of theoretical training and two semesters of in-service training.

After passing one year theoretical training (S1 and S2) plus one year practical training in the industry (P1 and P2) the candidate obtains the National Certificate. After another six months of theoretical training (S3), he/she obtains the National Higher Certificate.

If followed by another six months practical training period in the industry the candidate obtains the N. Dip.: Civil Engineering. Thereafter he/she has to work as engineering-technician-in-training for at least three years to be able to register as engineering technician with the Engineering Council of Namibia. Persons having obtained the National Certificate or Higher

National Certificate can also register with that council but after a longer period of in-service training. The same is true for people possessing a N6 in Civil Engineering.

Personality
The prospective civil engineer and civil engineering technician should be proficient with figures, should have a practical disposition and must like the outdoors.

Work Opportunities
Opportunities exist at construction companies, government road departments, municipal engineering departments, consulting engineers, research institutions and laboratories and academic institutions. Self-employment is a viable option. Work prospects seem to be good.



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2007-2008 Careers in Namibia
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