Engineering Technician and Technologist

Job overview
Industrial and technological development during World War II caused a gap between the tasks performed by engineers and those performed by artisans.

To bridge this gap the training of technicians was initiated by the engineering profession.

Nowadays technicians communicate with engineers at the theoretical and technical level and at the same time have the practical training required to guide the artisan.

What do people do in these jobs?
The engineering technician's work consists of both intellectual and hands-on work.

In large companies they may be employed in highly specialised capacities, using sophisticated techniques and equipment.

The work environment varies - laboratories, offices, factories and production sites.

Examples of the work done by technicians in the main engineering sectors are as follows:-
Agricultural engineering?
These technicians are responsible for designing structures and machinery for farming purposes, irrigation, water storage and drainage, soil conservation and processing, and the transport, storage and processing of agricultural products.

They are also involved in the research and development of agricultural production systems.

Chemical engineering?
Technicians are concerned with the manufacturing of chemicals on an industrial scale, as well as with the industrial processes that convert raw material into products with a higher economic value through physical, thermal or chemical changes.

Chemical technicians / engineers are qualified to undertake a wide variety of activities.

They research, develop, design, construct and operate the plants required to make any processed product from bricks, metals and plastics to chocolate, soap and cheese.

Civil engineering?
Civil engineering projects involve the control and adaptation of the physical environment to mankind's advantage.

This includes construction of bridges, roads, airport runways, railways, tunnels, reservoirs, canals, sewerage and drainage systems, gas and water supplies and other large structures.

Electrical engineering?
These technicians are involved in designing, testing equipment that leaves the factory, or installing and testing power plants.

The technicians assist the engineers with the monitoring of the generation of power and the distribution of the electrical energy to the eventual consumer.

Electronic engineering
Micro-electronics has caused a revolution in the field of electronics and makes it possible to produce more sophisticated, smaller, cheaper electronic products such as computers, microwave and satellite communication systems, electronic medical equipment, as well as control systems for aeroplanes and missiles.

Electronic equipment is designed and developed by a team consisting of the electronics engineer, technologist and technician.

Industrial engineering?
These technicians develop facilities for the economical manufacture of products.

Emphasis is placed on the application of industrial processes and staff utilisation.

The functions are a compromise between engineering and business administration.

Mechanical engineering?
Technicians deal with all kinds of machines and are involved in the manufacture, construction, layout, operation, maintenance and supervision of moving machinery and mechanical appliances.

Activities include transport, power generation, air-conditioning and other services such as water supply to mines, factories and large buildings.

Metallurgical engineering
These technicians are involved with the processing of ore to deliver the end product.

The ore is crushed, concentrated and then processed to metal, either through a melting process or in solutions.

Mining engineering?
These technicians ensure effective and safe production.

They often work with other engineers and technical management.

They are engaged in ore extraction activities from both underground and from the surface workings.

What kinds of people are suitable for these careers?
Engineering technicians and technologists should be scientifically and practically inclined.

They should have a good sense of responsibility, have perseverance and be resourceful.

They should also have a good technical understanding of the natural sciences.

What qualifications are needed?
Most engineering technicians and technologists will have received their education and training at a tertiary institution, usually a university.

Apart from the theory dealt with in the classroom, the syllabi include instruction in laboratory /measurement techniques, drawing office work and workshop practice.

Included in the work to obtain the diploma awarded by the university/college is experiential training with an employer in industry where the students are given the opportunity of applying the theoretical knowledge obtained in the classroom.