When a kind stranger took a photograph of Momelezi Sifumba standing at a busy roadside with a cardboard sign pleading ‘Help Me to Find a Job’ and posted it on LinkedIn, little did the unemployed graduate know it would catch the attention of none other than Graham Abrahams, senior vice president: Electrification at ABB, who would change the course of the young man’s life.
Having graduated with a BTech in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems) in 2018, Sifumba says he was unable to find employment in his chosen field, even after knocking on the doors of various companies. “Despite the constant rejection, I still had a hunger for success, knowing all I needed was an opportunity to prove myself,” he says. It was this determination and self-belief that resulted in the fateful decision to stand by the roadside with a placard.
Graham comments: “Youth development is everyone’s responsibility; business has a responsibility to help develop our youth. Momelezi has overcome many challenges to obtain his education, and now with ABB we will ensure he has the opportunity to complete the practical experience to qualify fully as an engineer. I look forward to seeing how he embraces this opportunity, and will follow his development and career closely.”
Sifumba is employed as a graduate apprentice in the Electrification Business Area, working under Abrahams himself. The training provided is hands-on and will see Sifumba rotate through different departments and activities to ensure his practical experience is as well-rounded as possible. With a bright future suddenly in front of him, Sifumba says there is nothing to stop him from aspiring to assume a team leader or management role. One day he will also be in the position to be a mentor to other deserving and unemployed youth.
Communications and marketing manager, Busisiwe Molefe, explains that ABB has heeded President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for the private sector to assist in combating the scourge of youth unemployment. “Momelezi’s inspiring story also speaks to the spirit of Nelson Mandela Day, where we are called upon to reflect as a society on how best to effect the change we want to see around us,” says Molefe.
Refilwe Mocumi, HR services specialist: Learning & Development and ELCM, reveals that from 2020 to date, 60 graduates have been permanently employed at ABB. In addition, 80% of the candidates from the company’s training programmes have found gainful employment. “Our aim as an engineering company is to afford all youth the opportunity to enter our industry, including disabled people,” she says.
The data-driven path to sustainable manufacturing ifm - South Africa
Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
Smart automation is closing the gap between operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, and the data to do it is already inside the plant. With ifm’s sensing and digitalisation technologies, manufacturers can turn machine intelligence into measurable sustainability gains.
Read more...The hydrogen economy is moving from concept to industrial reality VEGA Controls SA
Editor's Choice Pressure Measurement & Control
Scaling the hydrogen economy requires safe, efficient and tightly controlled processes across generation, storage, distribution and end use, underpinned by accurate instrumentation for pressure, temperature, level and flow measurement.
Read more...Dynamic control of industrial solar plants and energy storage systems Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice IT in Manufacturing
Spanish group, Power Electronics uses Beckhoff embedded PCs and TwinCAT software to achieve switching times of 110 ms across solar and battery storage systems, enabling the delivery of grid support services that command higher energy prices.
Read more...South Africa’s battery manufacturing potential
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection
A feasibility study commissioned by the Localisation Support Fund concludes that South Africa has the technical and commercial foundations to develop a competitive lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturing sector, anchored by growing regional demand and favourable industrial conditions.
Read more...Expanding visibility in mining operations Emerson Automation Solutions
Editor's Choice Sensors & Transducers
Advances in wireless communications, condition monitoring and sensing technologies are helping mining operators extend measurement into previously under-monitored areas, improving equipment reliability, process performance and water stewardship.
Read more...PC-based control in surgery Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice PLCs, DCSs & Controllers
Researchers at the University of Basel are using Beckhoff PC-based control technology to develop a miniature laser robot for minimally invasive bone surgery.
Read more...The gender gap in South Africa’s engineering sector
Editor's Choice News
With women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals in South Africa, AvenirHoldings CEO, Tshidi Mndzebele, is calling on women engineers and graduates to pursue formal professional registration as a key step to unlocking career growth and industry leadership.
Read more...Yokogawa digital plant to accelerate green hydrogen revolution Yokogawa South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical Power & Protection IT in Manufacturing
Yokogawa explains how a digital plant approach and autonomous operations can integrate the full green hydrogen value chain, from renewable power generation to end-use applications, and why digitalisation and system integration are central to making green hydrogen viable in South Africa.
Read more...Next-generation autonomous mobile robots from Omron Robotics Omron Electronics
Editor's Choice
The new LD-150 and LD-300 autonomous mobile robots from Omron Robotics offer higher payload capacity and advanced navigation in a compact footprint, with wireless inductive charging and fleet management integration to support high-throughput material transport in demanding production environments.
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