At the upcoming Executive Planning Session, the SAIMC will discuss various issues that need to be addressed. Some of these include:
• Driving education standards to address the needs of industry, including but not limited to, introducing international education programmes and qualifications. For too long our industry has had to retrain graduates before they become useful to an organisation in a C&I capacity. If industry gets its act together, we could very soon see students qualifying that could hit the ground running in this regard.
• Students are hampered by a lack of relevant practical experience. There is no coordinated effort by industry to ensure that students receive the experience they require to register as professional engineering technicians/technologists/engineers.
• Revisit the benefits to our members and patron members (branch and national), based on the feedback we have received from surveys.
• The impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrie 4.0 on South Africa and the responsibility of the SAIMC in this regard.
• Registration of an Automation category. A lot of work has been done in this regard and the time has come for the SAIMC to take the next step regarding the education, training and professional registration of C&I personnel. As an industry we have some choices to make and now is the time!
Johan Maartens.
After this session these actions will be documented and prioritised to shape our actions for the future with a focus on what is most important.
In closure, the time for new leadership at the SAIMC has come, both at the branch level and on council. This is an exciting time. Leadership changes, the SAIMC has always taken us into new territory. We have evolved from an obscure organisation into an international player working with the Automation Federation to establish automation as a separate engineering discipline and we are excited to take you along with us. The time is now!
SAIMC: From the office of the CEO SAIMC
SAIMC
The INSPIRE Conference 2026 brought industry and academia together to explore advances in automation, AI, mechatronics and engineering. It also marked a new direction for the SAIMC as it works to build future-ready engineering talent and strengthen South Africa’s automation industry.
Read more...SAIMC Durban takes to the skies SAIMC
SAIMC
SAIMC Durban members went behind the scenes at the ATNS facility at King Shaka International Airport. The visit offered a fascinating look at the sophisticated technology and highly trained people keeping South Africa’s skies safe.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
At the SAIMC Durban branch September 2026 technology meeting, Werner Das of SICK explored how deep learning is moving industrial machine vision beyond rule-based systems into practical, everyday quality control on the factory floor.
Read more...SAIMC: From the office of the COO SAIMC
SAIMC
The recognition of mechatronics and computer engineering has created both an opportunity and a responsibility. Recognition means little without participation, professional registration without professional conduct, and technical knowledge without the mentorship, implementation and measurable value that industry needs.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Hendrik Spies of SICK Automation Southern Africa presented at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening on 12 August 2026, covering the digital journey from condition monitoring to predictive maintenance.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban branch hosted S’yabonga Langa, systems performance engineer at eThekwini Electricity, who presented on applying substation automation to improve operational efficiency and service quality in modern power distribution networks.
Read more...SAIMC INSPIRE 2026 brings together industry, robotics and research
SAIMC
The inaugural SAIMC INSPIRE Conference will bring together the industrial automation, robotics and academic communities for two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking, and will explore developments in smart manufacturing, mining, robotics
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version