News


Start of outcomes-based education for automation and control industry

January 2007 News

Rockwell Automaton has opted to change the sector-specific body or SETA under which it provides training. Having been set up to encourage skills development through the establishment of a system of levies and grants, the registration of new learners and the quality assurance of training providers and assessors, the SETA system has undergone some early changes and companies have had to understand and adapt to these changes. As a result, the Rockwell Automation Training Centre has found that the Information Systems, Electronics and Telecommunications Technologies (ISETT) SETA did not ideally suit its range of products and services, prompting the decision to switch to the Energy Sector Education and Training Authority (ESETA).

"While the ESETA caters more specifically for areas like PLC unit standards and other sectors of our core focus, they do not have unit standards for all the training courses we offer either, and hence we will have to offer short courses on these subjects instead," reveals account manager for Rockwell Automation South Africa, Deon du Plessis. "The reality is that, in terms of outcomes-based education, our field has not yet been fully documented, and this is a challenge that we as an industry will have to address together. Because we offer product-specific training, it is not always easy to link unit standards to the different products involved."

The company has appointed moderators and assessors for its training fields, and enjoys international accreditation for each of its courses. Training is also carried out according to ISO standards. "Together with government, other suppliers in this industry and the SETAs involved, we will arrive at an outcomes-based education system for our industry," Du Plessis asserts. "We are looking at getting NQF level accreditation linked to our courses so they can count as credits for various technical and national qualifications."

For more information contact Deon du Plessis, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0) 11 654 9700, [email protected]



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

From solar to water, onsite plants are the next big industrial resilience shift
News
South African industrial operators who secured their energy supply with onsite solar generation now face the same imperative with water. Robert Erasmus of Sanitech argues that onsite water treatment is the next essential pillar of business continuity.

Read more...
How sustainability unlocks real business impact
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Sustainability has moved from a compliance obligation to a strategic driver of resilience and value for manufacturers. Rockwell Automation explains how its Triple A framework and connected-data approach help producers cut energy, water and waste while improving productivity.

Read more...
How BIC overcame operational silos to integrate technology and people
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Manufacturing giant BIC deployed Plex MES from Rockwell Automation at its Bizerte plant in Tunisia, replacing fragmented, partly in-house software with a single cloud-based execution system that broke operational silos and improved shop-floor visibility.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Pushing engineering to the limit
Technews Publishing News
Among the many things robots can do, it’s a lot of fun to follow how fast they are. They go from the Boston Dynamics cheetah, which first reached a record-breaking speed of 45,5 km/h, to the robot Charlie ...

Read more...
Schneider Electric concludes Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa
Schneider Electric South Africa News
Schneider Electric's Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa, held in Abu Dhabi with more than 2500 attendees, explored the convergence of energy, AI and industrial software, launched an Industrial AI study and announced the NEST Accelerator Programme for energy and industrial tech startups.

Read more...
Patented algorithm maximises operator efficiency
Rockwell Automation IT in Manufacturing
Rockwell Automation piloted a patented anomaly detection algorithm and FactoryTalk DataMosaix at its Twinsburg electronics plant, giving operators 30 to 60 days’ advance warning of stencil failure, improving fail rates by 22% and achieving a 200% return on investment.

Read more...
VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026
VEGA Controls SA News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.

Read more...
Sustainable solutions for sugar
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG News
BMG received a Special Commendation Exhibition Stand Award at the South African Sugar Technologists’ Association Congress, where it showcased an integrated turnkey drive solution designed to simplify the upgrading of ageing crushing-mill drive systems.

Read more...
Measure, Manage, Maintain: The operating model behind SA’s water resilience
Siemens South Africa News
South Africa’s growing water crisis is putting pressure on infrastructure, municipalities and the economy. Siemens highlights how digital technologies, smarter operations and safe water reuse could help shift the country from crisis response towards a more resilient and sustainable water future.

Read more...
VEGA brings measurement expertise beyond mining to Electra Mining Africa 2026
VEGA Controls SA News
VEGA used its Electra Mining Africa 2026 stand to demonstrate that its level and pressure measurement instruments extend well beyond mining, covering water, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and oil and gas applications across the continent.

Read more...









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.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved