Achieving ECSA registration through the DOI Professional Development Programme
Obtaining an engineering degree is the first step in the process of becoming a registered professional engineer. Masakh’iSizwe bursary beneficiary Zena Stain successfully registered as a professional engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) in October 2024 thanks to her hard work, dedication and participation in the Department of Infrastructure’s (DOI) Professional Development Programme (PDP).
As a statutory body, ECSA regulates the profession in terms of the Engineering Profession Act (EPA), 2000 (Act 46 of 2000) and provides professional registration, practice regulation, as well as accreditation for engineering education programmes.
Zena graduated in mechatronic engineering from Stellenbosch University in 2019 and needed real work experience and knowledge of new developments and technology to meet the ECSA requirements for professional registration.
“After graduation I was placed at the (then) Department of Transport and Public Works to fulfil my bursary obligation and work the years back that they paid for my studies,” says Zena.
“I was assigned to the Education Infrastructure Directorate where they implement the building of schools in the Western Cape and found this work rewarding in that the areas in which these schools are built are usually poorer areas and the people are very appreciative of the work that gets done.”
Secondment, rotation and mentorship form part of the programme, and Zena was seconded to the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDOH) to work on health infrastructure projects.
“The work at the WCDOH was very valuable and hands on”, says Zena.
“You are your own project leader, and manage the contractor who sees the project through, and this in turn lead to a spike in my growth which is an expected part of the Professional Development Programme.”
Zena moved back to the Department of Infrastructure after one year where she continued her journey towards professional registration including consultant management and financial management experience.
PDP participants Anelisa Njokwana, Jessica de Villiers, and Ismael Hartley are currently progressing towards becoming professionally registered with ECSA.
Anelisa has a BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
“I just submitted (my report) to ECSA in August 2024, and I am waiting for an interview date”, says Anelisa.
“I see myself as a professional engineering technologist in the future, and I’d like to study further, specifically in sustainability and power plant engineering.”
Jessica has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
“I was placed in the Health Infrastructure Directorate and work on hospitals and clinics across the Western Cape, which is super fun”, says Jessica.
“The Professional Development Programme was very supportive throughout, kept me on my toes and supplied me with an amazing mentor.”
Ismael graduated in 2010 as a civil engineer and has been working for the Western Cape Government for 13 years.
“Some of the projects I worked on include Silvertown in the Khayelitsha area for the emergency relocation of fire victims, and Driftsands which was a former nature reserve (and) where we are moving people away from the dam wall.”
“When the Department of Infrastructure was formed in 2023 I was given the opportunity to join the PDP and apply for professional registration,” says Ismael.
Masakh’iSizwe Bursary Programme
The Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme awards external bursaries for studies towards a degree or diploma at a higher education institution in the Western Cape in the fields of engineering or the built environment, or other areas where the Department of Infrastructure deems there to be a shortage of scarce and critical skills.
Professional Development Programme
The PDP is aligned to the registration requirements of relevant professional bodies. Through the PDP, newly appointed graduates and existing employees are given access to the support they need to meet the professional registration requirements of the relevant professional body.
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