Engineering as A Profession

Engineering can be described as the harnessing of materials and forces of nature, through scientific knowledge and information to produce goods and services which people use and need to improve their living standards, welfare and safety.

Introduction

The word "engineer" is derived from the Greek word ‘igenium’ which means inventive or ingenious. The professional engineer is not the only partner in the engineering labour force. The total labour force consists of six categories.

(a) Handyman/Labourer

• A handyman/labourer receives mainly in-service training.
  
• He/she will perform ordinary/simple tasks or duties.

• The training of an operator is not prescribed by law as in the case of an artisan.
  
• The entry requirements could be as low as that of a handyman or at a level equal to that of a qualified artisan, or even higher.
  
• In-service training is mainly provided by the employer.

(c) Artisan

• An artisan completes his/her training by means of an apprenticeship (see section trades).
  
• This normally takes between three to five years to complete, with the minimum educational qualification of a Grade 10 certificate, or equivalent, age of 16 years and a pass in the subject English as entry requirements.



• Artisans receive theoretical training at a technical college and the practical training is usually provided by suitable employers.
  
• Prospective artisans can choose from a range of possible apprenticeships, i.e., fitting and turning, electronics, instrumentation, auto-mechanics, etc..

• A technician’s tasks/duties are a bit more extensive than that of an artisan. He/she forms an important linkage between the engineer and the different duties/tasks that exist in the engineering industry.



• The technician will study for a National Diploma (N. Dip.) in the field of his/her interest.
  
• The training period is three years; 24 months theoretical training at a technikon and 12 months practical training at a suitable employer.
  
• After obtaining the diploma (or a qualification which is in the opinion of the Engineering Council of Namibia equivalent thereto) another two years of practical training has to be completed to register as engineering technician.

• To become an incorporated engineer, a technician may receive further training and obtains a B. Tech. degree from a technikon.
  
• Persons with a B. Tech. can also complete the M. Tech. and D. Tech.
  
• Professional status is received after a further three years of experience is gained in a specific discipline of engineering.



• The work of an incorporated engineer is parallel and in addition to that of a professional engineer, but does not interlink with the tasks of the latter.
  
• Strong emphasis is placed on the practical and pragmatic training of the incorporated engineer.
  
• In practice the incorporated and professional engineer can function independently of each other.

• The professional engineer should have a B. Eng. or B. Sc. (Eng.) qualification.
  
• After completion of his/her degree, the student registers at the Engineering Council of Namibia as an engineer-in-training.
  
• After a further minimum of three years practical training the person achieves professional status as engineer with the Engineering Council of Namibia.



• The daily work of an engineer is not repetitive but rather consists of numerous tasks such as designing, development, production, research, planning, management, etc..



• The University of Namibia now offers the four or five-year B. Sc. degree in Engineering where students spend the first two years at this university and the rest of the years at selected universities in Southern Africa.
  
• South African universities, though, accept Namibian applicants for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering.

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