Mechanical Engineers and
Mechanical Engineering Technician

Mechanical engineers develop, implement, manufacture and maintain machines, machine components and systems in various fields to enhance quality of life. Mechanical engineering technicians develop and design machinery equipment and processes and implement mechanical engineering technology.

They fill the gap between the tasks performed by engineer, technologists and scientists and those performed by artisans.

Job Characteristics

Mechanical Engineer

• Working in the office where computers play a major role in planning, designing, modelling and testing of systems.



• Carrying out on-site inspections, coordination and follow-up to ensure that any new system complies with the given requirements.



• Can specialize in one of the following fields: transportation, power generation, agriculture, mining, environmental engineering, airconditioning and refrigeration, manufacturing, petro-chemical industry of industrial engineering.

Mechanical Engineering Technician

Developing different machines

• Involved in the manufacture, construction, lay-out, operation, maintenance and supervision of moving machinery and mechanical appliances.



• Studying the project instructions of the engineer to ensure that the test specifications and proposed procedures are suitable for the artisan to construct.



• Determining the nature of technical problems and suggesting possible solutions, such as modifications to existing designs, techniques and procedures.



• Working mainly in-doors (laboratory, office, factory) and sometimes outside (exploration, survey, inspection).

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 registered as professional engineer).

A HIGCSE or outstanding IGCSE Grade 12, or equivalent qualification, is required for admittance to South African technikons (for those pursuing a career as mechanical engineering technician). This diploma leads to the B. Tech. degree in Mechanical 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.: Mechanical Engineering 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 and Physical Science on HIGCSE level (South Africa)

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

Mathematics and a Physics-related subject (Polytechnic)

Tertiary Education
Most South African universities offer degrees (B. Engineering, B. Science) in Mechanical Engineering. After a training period of three years registration as professional engineer (B. Eng., B. Science) and incorporated engineer (B. Tech.) with the Engineering Council of Namibia is possible.

A three-year N. Dip. (or four-year B. Tech) in Mechanical Engineering can be pursued at most South African technikons allowing for registration as engineering technician.

The Polytechnic also offers a N. Dip.: Mechanical 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), via the technikon route, the candidate obtains the National Certificate.

After another six months of theoretical training he/she obtains the National Higher Certificate. If followed by another six months theoretical training (S4) the candidate obtains the N. Dip.: Mechanical 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. A B. Tech. qualification allows for registration as incorporated engineer with the Engineering Council of Namibia.

Persons having obtained the National Certificate of Higher National Certificate can also register with that council but after a longer period of in-service training. The same is true of people possessing a N6 in Mechanical Engineering.

Personality
Prospective mechanical engineers and mechanical engineering technicians should have the ability to see and interpret a drawing three-dimensionally and make difficult calculations. An aptitude for and an interest in experimenting, problem-solving, designing and planning is important. They should also be responsible, have perseverance and be resourceful.

Work Opportunities
Mechanical engineers and mechanical engineering technicians can be employed by organisations such as mining and construction houses, private industries and government and municipal authorities. Job prospects seem to be good.
 
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