RACA Journal January 2020 | Page 59

Personality Profile Sponsored by : ALMINAH KHOZA – PROBLEM SOLVER By Ntsako Khosa “This job gives me a high sense of accomplishment because I get to see the product of my work.” A GETTING STARTED After completing her Mechanical Engineering studies in 2016 at the University of the Witwatersrand, she jumped straight into the workforce and has been with Ampair ever since. “My current position is my first after completing my studies,” she says. At university her favourite subjects were thermodynamics and heat transfer. Her love for thermodynamics saw her being awarded for academic excellence in her second year of studying. Another reason she chose to be in the industry is that she believes that there are many opportunities available to advance in the industry and develop new skills and knowledge. Alminah Khoza, mechanical engineer at Ampair. lminah Khoza is a mechanical engineer at Ampair. She designs heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; conducting load calculations, equipment sizing and selection, pipe and duct sizing, project cost estimations, preparing preliminary design reports and equipment submittals, participating in project planning and services coordination, preparing statement of works, scope of works and project progress reports. “I also audit existing HVAC systems and make recommendations, as well as audit installations for quality and safety.” PROJECTS Khoza states that she has worked on a variety of projects including different HVAC systems, like DX, chilled water, packaged units and VRF. Regularly, I work on small projects for new works and retrofits within the retail industry. Some of the big projects she’s worked on include: • 1066 Pritchard Street refurbishment project; • University of Witwatersrand Solomon Mahlangu House Lecture Theatres Refurbishment; • Imperial Health Sciences Centurion Phase 1-3; and • The Tyrwhitt Rosebank Apartments. FUTURE PLANS FOR THE LOVE OF THE JOB “I mostly enjoy problem solving,” she says. Khoza often faces new situations and challenges, she sees solving them as an opportunity, adding, “I am happiest when I am able to find a solution.” She is motivated by seeing through a project from start to finish. “I work in a fast-paced environment so working under pressure and meeting deadlines keeps me going.” www.hvacronline.co.za As she seeks to continually develop herself by doing courses, she shares that she’d like to register with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) as a professional engineer. “I would also like to work on green star building projects and also become a green star accredited professional. I want to move up the ranks and become an engineering manager,” she concludes. RACA RACA Journal I January 2020 57