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What is Cloud Computing?

Team Career Planet — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 03:58:25 +0000

CLOUD COMPUTING CAREERS

Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services – including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics and intelligence – over the Internet (“the cloud”) to offer faster innovation, flexible resources and economies of scale. Typically, an organisation only pays for cloud services they use, helping lower operating costs, run infrastructure more efficiently and scale as needs change.

Cloud computing examples that you will already know include social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; services such as Netflix and Uber – as well as business solutions such as Office 365, Teams, OneDrive.

Cloud computing is at the heart of modern technology solutions. Organisations increasingly embrace ‘Digital Transformation’ to become more agile, competitive and productive.

Cloud enables businesses to access ‘evergreen’, secure, flexible computing and software from any location at any time at any scale they need. Public Cloud services from global companies like Microsoft, Google and Amazon also provide advanced features such as data analytics and artificial intelligence in a much more affordable and accessible way than before.

Most organisations have used Cloud computing within their operations in some form – often simpler services such as email or backup, but Cloud is increasing the only option for all their future computing needs.

This demand for Cloud solutions is driving a massive demand for Cloud professionals who can help design, develop and support these solutions. By opting for a career in Cloud you will help businesses transform their technology and embark on a life-long journey of learning that will be sought after around the world for decades to come.

Source: Cloud Direct

From Grade 9 to PhD through TVET College.

laeniadmin — Sat, 04 May 2024 08:29:50 +0000

We caught up with Lebohang when we were informed of his application to complete his Doctorate in Higher Education.

Having started his study career with False Bay TVET College in 2008 with a Grade 9 Certificate, he elected to study for a National Certificate Vocational in Hospitality. Once he had adapted to the College way of life, nothing was going to stop him being a success. Demonstrating an aptitude for academics, his lecturer, Ms Baleni encouraged him to apply for a National Diploma in Tourism at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Eager to share his experience and education, Lebohang volunteered at an Adult Learning Centre. A natural educator, he enrolled for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and soon thereafter applied for a teaching degree, all while juggling three different jobs to help ends meet.
Since 2015 Lebohang has been a fundamentals teacher for grade four and five learners at a school in Khayelitsha. Setting a positive example for the learners, Lebohang continued to study with CPUT and achieved his Honours in 2018 and more recently his Masters in 2021.
A teacher in one class and a student in the other, Lebohang is exceptionally excited to now work towards his Doctorate in Education at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The College is proud to say that his higher education journey started with us and we look forward to seeing him reach his Doctorate stature in 2024.

Emerging markets must embrace the power of crypto.

Team Career Planet — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 00:36:03 +0000

Society is at a turning point.

Inequality has been growing for decades, with the world’s richest 1% today owning 45% of its wealth. Many countries are missing out on the benefits of a developed and inclusive financial system, and emerging markets are increasingly struggling to keep up. But to what extent can crypto solve their problems and increase financial inclusion? Are emerging markets ready to take advantage of the potential benefits on offer?

An unequal playing field.

The issues faced by emerging markets in the financial sector can often be traced to historical structural inequalities. As the rest of the developed world continues to grow and innovate, many emerging economies are still struggling to overcome the very basic issues that their developed counterparts dealt with decades, or centuries ago. They are beset by poor corporate governance, weak legal and judicial infrastructures, and limited access to reliable information.

This results in opaque financial systems that are prone to corruption. In a Bank of International Settlements (BIS) report on financial stability in emerging markets, it was claimed that the lack of transparency about banks’ operations and financial conditions makes it difficult for stakeholders to exercise proper market discipline. The lack of effective management and political interference also makes it difficult for banks to exercise prudence in the loans sector, dragging people into debt they are unable to get out from under of.

Investopedia notes that “Investors who seek a fair, competitive business environment will avoid investing in countries where there is a high level of corruption.” Poor education and limited access to adequate healthcare are also often serious problems within emerging markets – these, too, have a direct, serious impact on the viability for emerging economies to perform.

Enter, tech.

Disruptive technologies can and have helped to remedy the financial disparity in emerging markets. If we look at the case for Artificial intelligence (AI) being used, the applications are poised to aid a variety of inefficiencies. Owing to AI’s sophistication, many believe it lends itself better to applications in developed economies; but AI is perhaps even more relevant in emerging markets,

In villages in Indonesia and Kenya, AI enabled systems are making it easier for small entrepreneurs and farmers to gain work more efficiently. Across these emerging economies, farmers are able to use common mobile devices to access AI-enabled weather services that provide real-time information on weather, water usage and requirements and soil conditions, allowing them to make more informed operating decisions.

In terms of financial inclusion, though, there are few technologies having a greater impact than cryptocurrencies.

A growing market.

The potential of cryptocurrency in emerging markets is already being realised to an extent, with high levels of adoption increasingly reflecting this. According to a 2019 Statista Global Consumer Survey, the top five countries in terms of cryptocurrency adoption are Turkey, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and South Africa.

Out with the old, in with equality.

When we look back at the history of the financial system, we’ve got to think about who it was there to serve. Big banks have always been in the business of making money – from credit lending to interest rates. These are not what emerging market participants are after.

The blockchain and cryptocurrency space has thus far looked at the technology’s implications for solving economic and social problems. That too is changing, in ways that treat emerging markets not as beneficiaries of global do-goodism but as full market participants.

Equal access is an issue plaguing many of the world’s monolithic industry structures: healthcare, education, finance. The worry creeps in when we realise the more progress is made, the bigger the gap grows.

Technology to the rescue.

Emerging markets may actually be better equipped than their more developed counterparts to exploit the benefits of new technology. They don’t have the established, legacy systems built up during previous waves of technological innovation. This means they are more agile and more able to build systems afresh.

For example, as Tyler Winklevoss, successful investor and entrepreneur, explains: “A lot of African countries leapfrogged the infrastructure of landline telecoms with cellular. They skipped that step. Blockchain will have the greatest impact in areas where the payment networks don’t exist or are very poor.”

Considering the heavily entrenched nature of older financial systems, in particular, it makes sense that emerging markets are better poised to start from scratch with innovative financial solutions. There’s an advantage to starting with little to no structure, because when change happens, agility and flexibility will always win the race.

Career Planet thanks Luno for providing access to the exciting new changes rising on our horizons. For more easily digestible news and informative insights on the power of Crypto in emerging economies, READ HERE.

The new Tourism pioneers.

Team Career Planet — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 09:05:25 +0000

Maya Angelou said “I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.” She could’ve been referring to Bernice Maharaj. While Covid-19 has kept her grounded, she dreams of traveling to the countries and cities she works with and beyond, at her employer Hideaways, a subsidiary of Jenman Africa Safaris.

Recently appointed after a 6-month Work Integrated Learning Placement at False Bay TVET College, Bernice is now the junior Reservation Consultant for a collection of bespoke properties and luxury safari experiences that are positioned across Southern Africa.

Completing her National Certificate N6 in Tourism in 2021, she would happily recommend studying at False Bay TVET College for the opportunities it presents.

Bernice is exposed to all aspects of the Agency, liaising with clients and providers, bookings, custom service, accounts, logistics and even a little marketing. Her all-round experience makes her an exceptional addition to any Travel and Tours Agency.

While this story sounds like a fairy tale, at times during her study career, she questioned her choice of study, her thoughts giving into the uncertainty of others. However, through small validations, a good lecturer and her determination to follow her dreams, her passion and enthusiasm for the industry was restored. “Don’t follow your families and friends’ dreams, follow your own and always put your best work forward” recommends Bernice.

When she attended the World Travel Market Exhibition in 2019, as part of a class excursion, her mind was opened to so many possibilities that she realised she wasn’t dreaming big enough. “The tourism sector is so vast and intertwined with so many direct and indirect career possibilities.”
Focused on her career and travel goals, we are sure she will be getting her passport stamped soon!

Arts vs Maths in the 4th Industrial Revolution

Team Career Planet — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:39:00 +0000

The arts could become more important for young people than maths in the future, according to a leading education expert.

Researcher Andreas Schleicher, who leads the Programme for International Student Assessment at the intergovernmental economic organisation OECD, believes that young people could benefit more from the skills gained through creativity than test-based learning.

Schleicher, who is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading educational thinkers, said: “I would say, in the fourth industrial revolution, arts may become more important than maths.

“We talk about ‘soft skills’ often as social and emotional skills, and hard skills as about science and maths, but it might be the opposite,” he said, suggesting that science and maths may become ‘softer’ in future when the need for them decreases due to technology, and the ‘hard skills’ will be “your curiosity, your leadership, your persistence and your resilience”.

His comments follow concerns that a traditional STEM curriculum could make young people less prepared for the demands of the future.

“When you look at the types of tasks that students are doing, they are more those that are associated with the past than the future – the kind of things that are easy to teach and easy to test. It is precisely those things that are easier to digitise.

“The modern world doesn’t reward you for what you know, but for what you can do with what you know,” he said.

Source: thestage.co.uk (edited)

Your Gap Year; things to consider.

Team Career Planet — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 11:41:46 +0000

How does COVID-19 impact gap year plans?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is likely to have an impact on your gap year, whether you plan to travel, or stay local and get a job. It’s likely that as guidance from UK governments, and other countries change you might need to review or, in some cases, reschedule your plans.

A gap year offers you the opportunity to gain skills and experiences, while giving you time to reflect and focus on what you want to do next.

A productive gap year can be valuable on your CV – many employers value the experiences students have gained if they’ve actively managed their time, set themselves goals, and stretched themselves.
A gap year can also enhance your higher education studies – if you decide to apply for uni, you could tailor your gap year to relate it to the subject area you plan to study.
Admissions tutors know that some students may take a little time to adjust to studying again, but many former gap year students are generally more focused and responsible.

Why do you want to take a year out?

It’s really important to set goals to make your time productive, so you need to identify what you want to achieve. You might want to:

have a break from study
gain new skills/experiences
earn money
spend time deciding what you want to do
do a combination of the above

A year out isn’t an option that suits everyone – for some, it may be advisable not to take a break between studies. Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros	Cons
An opportunity to have a break from studying and return refreshed. You can volunteer, get valuable work experience, and travel the world.	Some people find a year out becomes a distraction from their longer term plans.
A productive gap year can be valuable on your CV.	An unstructured year out may not add much value to your future – careful thought and planning is essential.
You could relate the experience and activities to the subject area you plan to study.	It can be harder to return to study or work after a year-long break.
You can earn and save money towards your higher education costs or future plans.	It can be expensive and you could find yourself in a worse financial position at the end.
You will develop maturity if you don’t yet feel ready for higher education or work life. For some careers, it can be an advantage to be slightly older and have some life experience.	If you don’t get organised, you may end up spending your gap year just ‘thinking about it’.

Do your research

It’s really important to form a plan of what you will do for the year, no matter what your gap year idea is, and you need to start planning well in advance. Some voluntary work schemes are popular and have strict deadlines, and you need to consider when you need the money to pay for airfares or visas.

There are loads of ideas you could consider – some might fill an entire year, others a few weeks or months. You could also combine more than one idea.

There is a wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation.

If you want to organise it yourself, research the costs of the features offered by organised schemes which appeal to you, but make sure you get advice on safety, any additional checks, and insurance cover you may need to consider.

You may find useful information on social media, online forums, and websites. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ‘been there and done that’ for the sort of gap year you’re considering.

Gap year ideas, what can you do?

Volunteering – support a worthwhile cause and gain valuable experience. You could take part in a wildlife conservation project, teach children, or help build a school in a third world country.
Travel – explore the world, discover new cultures, and develop your independent living skills at the same time! You could go backpacking across South East Asia, InterRail through Europe, or buy a round the world plane ticket!
Paid employment – earn money and gain new skills at home or aboard. You could work on an outback farm in Australia, as a ski lift operator in Canada, or at a backpacker hostel in New Zealand.
Work experience – if you want to gain relevant experience and skills for a particular career or subject you plan to study, you could consider a work placement or internship. These can last from a few weeks to a year. Depending on the type of contract on offer, you may or may not receive a salary. These are very popular and competition for places is high, so you will need to apply early.
Part-time courses – why not take the opportunity to try something new? You could take up a new language, learn how to programme, try a new sport or music instrument, or learn a new practical skill, such as mechanics, carpentry, or cookery.

Gap year tips

What do you want to achieve from a gap year? New skills, experience, or do you want more time to consider your future? Set goals to make your time productive – think about getting the right balance between time spent and benefits gained.
How much time can you be away and when? What do you want to spend your time doing and where? Are you going to work, are there interests or hobbies you can take further, or do you want to help others by volunteering? What value will it add to your study, your CV, or career?
What is available? Research the wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available, or look into organising it yourself. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation, where they agree to follow a code of conduct. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ’been there and done’ the sort of gap year you’re considering.

Here are some starter ideas on who to contact:

GVI Africa

Gap Year International

Gap Africa

PlanMyGapYear

Top 5 Gap Year Organisations

Volunteer in Africa

False Bay College

How much money will you need? Unless you’re planning to work or have some financial help, you are going to need money. Set yourself a realistic budget that you can afford to stick to. Costs vary considerably, so research carefully and don’t forget to add things like flights, visas, accommodation, insurance, and vaccinations (you can check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for information on vaccinations).

Get advice

It’s worth checking forums and social media for tips and insight into other people’s experience of gap years you’re interested in, particularly if you are looking at going abroad. Think carefully about what you want to do, and seek advice if you want to talk your ideas through further.
It may be possible to defer your acceptance of a place on a higher education course for a year – however, you may need to make your case directly to the university or college concerned for why this would be beneficial.
If you have any doubts, discuss your ideas further with parents/carers, teachers, or a careers adviser

Source: UCAS (University & College Admissions Service)

Developing a Skills Set

laeniadmin — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:22:41 +0000

A Skill Set is a group of things you can do … and do well. Your skill set is specific to you and will benefit you in your career.

Your Skill Set can include some of the following:

Good Matric Results:

These can lead to a certification, diploma or a degree.

Hands-on Part-Time Experience:

Part-time work at a fast food shop will show that you work well with the public
Part-time work in a call centre will show you have good communication and phone skills
Housekeeping will show organisational skills
Waitressing will show that you can work well with people and under pressure
You can develop your skills by volunteering in your community. While helping others, you will also be helping yourself.

For example:

Planting trees or vegetables with an NGO will help you get gardening and organisational skills.
Volunteering at the SPCA or at a veterinary clinic will give you experience and skills related to working with animals. Compassion and caregiving might be useful skills to learn if you are considering a career in nursing or childcare.
Volunteering in a local soup kitchen might teach you kitchen skills which will be good if you are considering a job as a chef or caterer.
Volunteering as a fire-fighter will teach you to work under pressure and under extreme conditions. Fire-fighting will definitely teach you to work well in a team.

Other Ways to Get Skills:

If you have left school before completing matric, there are other ways of gathering skills. Look for opportunities on every corner. Certain NGO’s and businesses in your area will offer work experience, while other companies will take you on and teach you a trade e.g. Machine Minder in a print factory, or a Shelf Packer in a big shop. If you work hard, the company might see your potential and send you for training. This is how you gain skills and work yourself up the corporate ladder.

Continue to Learn:

Education is a life-long path of discovery. Short courses you might consider, to give yourself more skills for your Skill Set, include the following:-

First Aid Course (there are day and weeklong courses)
Skill yourself up on computers like Microsoft Word, Excel and other programs (there are many opportunities to do morning or evening classes)
Speed typing and short-hand courses(some institutions will offer part-time courses)
Get a driver’s license. Having a driver’s license can be very helpful. It will be an added skill that other job seekers might not have. Small companies like employees to do a little of everything.

Whether you use any of these skills in your job or not, including them in your Skill Set shows that you are keen to learn. It also shows you are well rounded, self-motivated and a person who works well with others.

It is never too early or too late to learn. You should continue to teach yourself new skills. Skills will further your career.

Finally:

5 Important things to remember which will help you step ahead from the bunch:

Good results
2.   A varied Skill Set
3. Positive attitude
4.   A desire to work hard
5.   Motivated to learn

Keep asking questions – Keep researching – Keep learning – Keep being positive!

Good things will come to those who persevere!

Fancy a career as a Drone Pilot?

Team Career Planet — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 04:34:20 +0000

You may have started dreaming of sending a drone soaring above the landscape a long time ago but now want to make the dream a reality as more and jobs are opening up across the globe. You may already have tried your hand with models or toys but the dream of being a drone pilot and earning a living that way, is now more than ever, within your grasp.

What is a drone pilot?

Officially a drone pilot operates Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). In the USA it is known as an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAS).

They control drones using remote controls or automated software. Commercial drone pilots are professionals who fly drones for a huge variety of organisations.

What does a drone pilot do?

A commercial drone pilot operates a drone to collect data or images or deliver items like parcels or agricultural seed. They can work in a variety of sectors, including:

Real estate: Real estate agencies sometimes hire drone pilots to take photos and videos of a property. Drone pilots gather the images and data necessary to create 3D virtual home tours. They may also take aerial photos or videos for real estate marketing.
Marketing: A company can hire a drone pilot for a marketing campaign. For example, a theme park could hire a drone pilot to take videos for their televised commercials.
Surveying: Drone pilots help surveyors gather information for new projects and maps.
Building and construction: Construction companies may work with a drone pilot to create 3D images of a new project. Drone pilots can also work with building inspectors to gather information about a new building.
Entertainment: Drone pilots can work in the entertainment industry, gathering images or videos for concerts, movies and live sporting events.
Insurance: Some insurance companies use drone pilots to gather information regarding insurance claims. For example, they may have a drone pilot fly overhead to gather data for a risk assessment.
Mining & Excavation: Drone pilots can work in the mining industry to collect mapping information.
Safety: Drones can gather thermal imaging data, which can help public safety professionals, such as firefighters.
Agriculture: Drones are often used for surveying and mapping landscapes and then delivering seed or spraying crops.
• Scientific surveys: From archeology to geology and from conservation to meteorology, scientists are increasingly using drones to see features of the natural environment which are difficult to obtain either traveling on the ground or by plane or satellite.
Military. The military were early users of drone technology.

Daily work
Depending on the sector, this can include:

Capturing aerial photos, film or data,
Planning flight paths and monitoring drone flights,
Meeting with clients to discuss data,
Reviewing regulations and complying with local flight laws,
Delivering parcels or seed or insecticides to a specific location.

How to become a drone pilot

Commercial drone pilots need to earn a certification through the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Search for RPAS (Remote Pilot Aircraft Systems).

The latest eligibility requirements and guidelines are:

An applicant should not be less than 18 years of age
Applicants must hold current medical assessments
A certified training provider must be identified
Foreign theoretical training will be approved and validated (ASK)
Only successful completion will be accepted
Applicants must pass the RPL practical assessment
Applicants must also pass Radiotelephony Examination
Achieved English Language Proficiency (ELP) level 4 or higher.
All applications must be submitted to the SACAA.

For a list of accredited training providers CLICK HERE

Buying a drone

You do not need to buy a drone until you are sure this is what you want to do. The training provider will have drones for you to practice on and take your exams. But it may be worth while deciding on

the kind of work that is open to drone pilots in your area.
the kind of work you may prefer (although it is only through practice that you will know for sure).

Research what work is available in your area

A website like https://dronedigital.co/ puts employers in touch with pilots and has a good overview of work that is available.

Register your drone

Once you have your remote pilot certificate and have bought a drone, you must register it. You can complete a registration online, and it will be valid for three years.

Register your drone

Once you have your remote pilot certificate and have bought a drone, you must register it. You can complete a registration online, and it will be valid for three years.

Flying Practice

Once you have your certificate, you can begin working as a commercial drone pilot. But many employers look for drone experience when hiring new pilots so practice, practice, practice. Remember to always adhere to the rules and regulations!

Job hunt

To connect with employers looking for drone pilots go to https://dronedigital.co and register.

Stay up-to-date

An important part of being a commercial drone pilot is staying updated on the current regulations and guidelines which may change at any time. Because of this drone pilots must renew their certificates every often by passing a recurrent knowledge test. They must also re-register their drones regularly.

Starting up a business in a struggling economy.

Team Career Planet — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 13:14:07 +0000

The latest release by Statistics South Africa of unemployment rates makes sobering reading – the youth officially account for 59,5% of the total number of the unemployed in our country. Progress in improving access to education and entrepreneurship will undoubtedly lead to economic growth and an all-important increase in job creation, so sorely needed in reducing the extremely high rate of youth unemployment.

The False Bay TVET College Centre for Entrepreneurship & Rapid Incubator (CFERI) specialises in assisting budding youth entrepreneurs to launch and sustain resilient and innovative businesses.

Different businesses need different business plans, capital, market strategies, networks and teams to sustain them, but all businesses have one thing in common – they all start with an opportunity. Once the entrepreneur finds the opportunity, the resources needed to capitalise on the opportunity must be found. Trying to do this on your own isn’t easy, especially while the economy is still ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s where the CFERI comes in.

Nkosinathi “Nathi” Mahlanyana’s story is a perfect illustration of how partnership with the CFERI can unlock resources and grow entrepreneurship.

Nathi had a simple idea. He wanted to make patriotism fashionable. Literally. In 2015, Nathi registered Black Embassy (Pty) Ltd., a clothing and accessories company with a contemporary African theme that honours Africa’s indigenous inheritance. The flagship core product is peak caps.

Because he knew the clothing and apparel industry is quite competitive, Nathi decided to sharpen his entrepreneurial skills and broaden his networks, and signed up for business incubation support at the CFERI. The programme involves a targeted and transformative six-month learning programme and 12 months of coaching.

Unathi says: “With joining the CFERI in 2020, I wasn’t really confident in what I had started, and I had downscaled my dream to just having the brand as a side hustle and nothing greater than that.

“My confidence grew with my favourite part of the programme, when I learnt about the jockey [the entrepreneur]and the horse [the business], which is how equally important it is to take care of both beings. And that’s where I started working on myself more and having great dreams of where I would like to see myself as much as I did the Black Embassy brand.

“Having support and mentorship is primarily important, as I can say that it is almost impossible to make it without this. Honestly speaking, if it was up to me, I would stay at the CFERI forever as it is highly beneficial.”

The CFERI applies a holistic approach to support both the entrepreneur and the business through practical and hands-on learning, personal development, coaching and mentoring, market linkages, financial linkages and technology resources.

In June 2021, we invited the Small Enterprise Financing Agency (SEFA) to present the Township Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) to our entrepreneurs. TREP aims to create platforms that provide business support infrastructure and an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive and grow.

The TREP programme (open to selected industries) offers access to loans of up to R350 000 through SEFA to cover the cost of equipment (paid directly to equipment suppliers) and working capital of R50 000.

Nathi submitted his application for R295 369.45 (loan portion) and R50 000 (working capital in the same month). On 31 August 2021, Nathi received confirmation from SEFA that Black Embassy had been approved to receive TREP funding.

With the funding secured, Nathi is poised to establish his brand in Africa and internationally, with ambitious plans to open pop-up stores in key cities around the country by 2022 and the first permanent store by 2025, preferably in a high-traffic, prestigious location like the V&A Waterfront or Mandela Square.

Nathi’s last words of advice to his fellow entrepreneurs?

“If you know that you have all your ducks in a row and would be able to produce any required document instantly, then never hesitate to apply for funding or enter any competition. For me, confidence comes with knowing that I am ready and prepared from all aspects, especially with a great support team like the CFERI.”

Remember, you don’t have to be great to start, but you do need to start to be great.

Connect with CFERI and let us help you convert that opportunity into a rewarding business. For more information, contact us at 021 201 1215

www.falsebayincubate.co.za

Women in engineering

Team Career Planet — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 12:11:03 +0000

Engineering gender equity

The United Nation Commission on the status of women made an astounding claim in 2014 that Sub-Saharan Africa needed 2,5 million engineers and technicians just to improve access to clean water and sanitiation. In 2013, the Engineering Council of South Africa said only 11% of the engineers registered with the council were women and only 4% were professional women engineers. Furthermore, the Council has estimated that, while growing numbers of women enrol for engineering at university, 70% of women with engineering degrees leave their jobs soon after starting, a rate far higher than that of men.

The lack of gender equity in engineering fields in South Africa mirrors experiences in most of the world. In South Africa and globally, only 19% of engineering jobs are occupied by women and in both the United States and United Kingdom, the percentage is a dismal 15%. Given the fact that South Africa’s employment equity legislation forces engineering firms to hire more women, the reasons for the persistent lack of women in engineering demand interrogation.

There is no doubt that the inherent stress, pressure to perform and long work days typical of the engineering sector play a role, as does the fact that many young women leave their jobs for a time to start families. However, the growth and transformation of the engineering sector – in dire need of skilled artisans and professionals – are inhibited in other, less visible ways.

Firstly, there is an absence of women in engineering with sufficient public visibility to act as role models and impact on girls’ post-school career and study decisions. As a result, despite the general parity in terms of numbers of males and females studying Science, Technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at school, fewer girls opt for STEM disciplines in post-school studies.

Secondly, there is an overwhelming male culture in the sector, where few women have advanced to senior management levels. Women have reported that because of patriarchal, dismissive and undermining behaviours among male peers and managers, they are compelled to work twice as hard as men to be taken seriously or to be offered the same growth opportunities and salaries routinely enjoyed by male peers (women in engineering earn 25% less on average in the UK).

Thirdly, even when young women have been able to enter the sector through employment equity, the firms often tend to be more concerned with counting numbers and complying with quotas than empowering women. These women tend to be assigned junior, subordinate roles that ultimately doom their prospects of advancing to the board room and impacting on gender transformation and empowerment.

False Bay TVET College is committed to employment and workshop learning equity, diversity and inclusion and strives to create a welcoming work and learning place for everyone, regardless of gender, race or culture. We believe transforming the engineering sector and advancing the roles and progression of women in science, engineering and technology are not only critical business imperatives but vital to accelerating growth in the economy. Thankfully, our women engineering students have many excellent role models and thought leaders on campus.