To mark the success of its internship programme, Yokogawa South Africa hosted a reunion for current and former interns in a celebration at the Cyril Ramaphosa World of Learning.
The evening commenced with a welcome from Yokogawa SA MD Johan Louw who shared the results obtained from a survey of former interns. Training manager Nico Marneweck then explained the origins of the programme and its progression since it commenced in 2009, after which he highlighted the key successes as well as areas identified for future improvement.
Providing pertinent advice to learners on steps they should follow on completion of their internship, Crystal Mathonsi, HR specialist at Yokogawa SA, impressed the importance of further studies and preparing a polished CV to facilitate future employment prospects.
Phokwane Moloele, representing Yokogawa SA’s BBBEE partner Identity Capital Partners, spoke about the empowerment of women and expressed: “If you are in your comfort zone then you are not pushing yourself hard enough.” She reflected on Yokogawa’s success in developing young professionals, including women, and expressed fervent anticipation about Yokogawa and IDF collaborating to enhance these programmes.
Christened by Marneweck as ‘ambassadors’, former interns Dinah Moche, Merone Ramuhashi, Tebogo Mulauzi, Dikeledi Phaleng and Martenique Mdhluli, had the current group listening intently as past experiences were shared and gratitude extended to Yokogawa for the opportunities acquired by way of their internships. They explained that to be extraordinary in this industry required good instrumentation knowledge coupled with hard work and a proactive willingness to learn.
About the programme
The internship offers work integrated learning which forms part of the three-year curriculum to complete a National Diploma from Further Education and Training Colleges and Universities of Technology. Yokogawa SA’s partnership with these organisations cements the quality of the programme, and learners spend 12 months with the company.
The internship programme is designed to help meet the local skills shortage in the industrial automation industry. In addition to addressing quality assurance (accredited by three tertiary institutions) Yokogawa SA provides an active learning environment in support of the government’s initiatives as set out in the Skills Development Act. Intake is in January and July of each year and applications are welcome in the prior months. Yokogawa SA is committed to skills development, equipping its students with a three dimensional programme involving office exposure, technical experience and life skills. With more than 40 students having passed through the programme since 2009, Yokogawa SA continues to contribute to the development of future talent and the industry leaders of tomorrow.
The former interns emphasised that while the programme had pushed them to sweat and tears, the perseverance had proved well worthwhile. They explained that the growth process at Yokogawa SA had enabled them to soar in their subsequent careers. Marneweck summed up: “We continue to develop our programme in collaboration with various universities and technical training institutions. We are truly blessed to contribute to the growth of these young professionals.”
The evening concluded with a beer tasting. Apt when one considers that shaping young minds – much like the beer maturation process – requires knowledge, time, patience and nurturing.
After two years theoretical training at various universities of technology and a year’s experiential training at Yokogawa, the interns are ready for employment.
Yokogawa encourages companies to consider these newly qualified interns for employment within their business.
For more information contact Nico Marneweck, Yokogawa South Africa, +27 (0)11 831 6300, [email protected], www.yokogawa.com/za
| Tel: | +27 11 831 6300 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.yokogawa.com/za |
| Articles: | More information and articles about Yokogawa South Africa |
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