Yondela Madikizela, 23, earned his qualification in electrical engineering from Berea
Technical College in 2019 and currently works for Vision Elevators in Pinetown, wiring
machinery and controlling power.
Madikizela, originally from Bizana in the Eastern Cape, developed a love and passion
for engineering at an early age. “My uncle was an electrician and I used to help him
whenever he needed to fix something around the house,” Yondela explained.
According to BusinessTech Newspaper, engineering studies can prepare you for a job
in the industry with the best employment prospects in South Africa.
Thirteen of the top twenty skills on the National Scarce Skills list are related to
engineering, showing that the technical engineering sub-sector has many job vacancies.
According to the excited and curious young man, his aunt persuaded him to enrol at the
college. All his expectations were met, and he had his favourite lecturer, TK Mlambo,
who was always easy to talk to and approachable if you needed more help
understanding a subject.
Electrical engineers work on various projects, such as computers, robots, cellphones,
cards, radars, navigation systems, wiring and lighting in buildings, and other kinds of
electrical systems. A large part of an electrical engineer’s day involves project
management, such as meeting with clients, determining budgets and preparing project
schedules. Supervising the work of other professionals, such as computer
programmers, electricians, scientists and other engineers, may also be required at
times.
As an electrical engineer, the career paths are wide and include running your own
small business or working in the industry. Electrical engineers rely on computer-aided
design (CAD) systems for the creation of schematics and to layout circuits, and they use
computers to simulate how electrical devices and systems will function.
Electrical engineering has the considerable advantage of having various specialisations,
allowing people to explore the best option for their interests and talent.
Berea Technical College aims to prepare students for the 4th Industrial Revolution by
providing them with academic knowledge and practical skills to enter industry
successfully.
Contact: engineering@bereatech.co.za for more on Electrical Engineering or visit
www.btc.edu.za