Careers
regularly exchanging ideas with Irrigation New Zealand
and Irrigation Australian, the other two significant national
bodies in the southern hemisphere. South African engineers
are also doing more and more work in other African
countries where there are skills shortages.
If you are interested in a career in irrigation, it would be
best to pay a visit to the type of company or organisation
that you would like to work for. The following page contains
some comments from a number of people working in the
sector to give you a better idea of what to expect. If you
need any further information, please contact the SABI office
on 021 850 8220 or send an email to [email protected]
and we will try to assist.
We asked a few of the SABI company members what advice
they would give to people who are considering a career in
irrigation. Read on to find out what their advice is:
Alfred Andrag
I’m Alfred Andrag (B.Eng, Pr.Eng.),
COO of Agrico Pty (Ltd). We’re
a fourth generation family owned
and run business. The business
was started in 1904 by my great
grandfather Paul Andrag, importing
equipment to solve the local farmers’
problems. His five sons, four of his
grandsons and now five of his great grandchildren all
pursued careers in the business. We still do what he set
out to do by constantly looking at new solutions for our
customers to take their businesses forward. A whole number
of firsts were brought to South Africa by the family. This
included the first rubber tyred tractor, the first sprinkler
irrigation system, the first SA-produced tractors, the first
local centre pivots. The business has grown over the years
with 28 sales branches nationally and factories in three
locations.
Irrigation comprises about 50% of the business. We offer
a one stop service. From survey, design, manufacture,
delivery, erection, to the guarantees and after sales
service. We specialise in any type of irrigation or water
works (including domestic systems, agricultural irrigation,
industrial and municipal projects). Components that we
do not manufacture ourselves, we buy from the factories
abroad or locally. All our components and products are of
the highest standards available. We employ a large number
of irrigation designers and each year take on about 10
trainees. In total the company employs over 900 people
and with our national footprint there are many career
opportunities within the company. We are a stable and
reliable supplier and employer.
We’re always looking for a unique type of person with a
sound academic background to be able to understand the
theory of fluid dynamics and do the necessary calculations.
Good computer skill