INGENIEUR
Engineering technologists are involved in many activities including research and development
register as graduate engineer by taking an approved bridging course or taking Master of Engineering through coursework . However , the routes are not really encouraging and candidates have to spend extra time and money . Hence , there is a need to establish the professional pathway for engineering technology [ 11 ].
There are many benefits and motivation for an engineering technologist to become a professional engineering technologist such as :
● Recognition of expertise , knowledge , and professional commitment ;
● Demonstration of engineering skills , competence , and expertise ;
● Increase in exposure to new career opportunities ;
● Credibility with peers , employers , customers and suppliers ; and
● Internally recognised qualification
The Engineering Council of South Africa ( ECSA ) has set up a clear pathway for the engineering technologist to become a professional engineering technologist [ 12 ]. A professional engineering technologist is a person who , by virtue of a combination of education , training and experience , has attained a level of competence which enables them to apply engineering principles and techniques to the solution of
engineering challenges of varying complexity as required by industry . Activities include , but are not limited to , design planning ; investigation and problem resolution ; improvement of materials , components , systems , or processes ; implementation , manufacture , or construction ; engineering operations ; maintenance ; project management ; research , development , and commercialisation .
ECSA has defined the scope of work for a professional engineering technologist which encompasses Broadly Defined Engineering Activities ( BDEA ) which are characterised by several or all of the following [ 12 ]:
● The scope of practice area is linked to technologies used and any changes by adoption of new technology into current practice ;
● The practice area is located within a wider complex context requiring teamwork , and has interfaces to other parties and disciplines ;
● It involves the use of a variety of resources ( including people , money , equipment , materials and technologies );
● It requires the resolution of occasional problems arising from interactions between wide-ranging or conflicting technical , engineering , or other issues ;
10 VOL 90 APRIL-JUNE 2022