GQEBERHA – A delegation of electrical engineering students and educators from the Czech Republic had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the process of advanced steel manufacturing at Coega Steels recently.

The plant visit formed part of an established international academic programme facilitated by the Olifantsfontein Artisans Academy in Gqeberha.

Its objective is to give students real-world industry exposure, allowing them to compare technologies and gain insight into how engineering and technical training differ between countries.

The Nelson Mandela Bay-based mini-mill was identified as the ideal host given its reputation as one of South Africa’s leading manufacturers of steel.

Olifantsfontein enjoys a meaningful relationship with the manufacturer in the realm of skills development.

The host’s advanced industrial operations are particularly relevant to the students’ fields of study: electrical engineering and electrotechnics.

Many of the young visitors witnessed induction furnace melting for the first time.

They were especially impressed by the high-end technology used, particularly that in production automation, and the use of robotics.

The design of the electrical distribution systems and the company’s approach to safety and maintenance also stood out.

There was an opportunity for informal discussions with the Coega Steels team, centring on trends, training and methodologies used in Europe and offering a valuable perspective to the South Africans.

According to Madeleine Jordan, human resources manager at the steel producer, the visit had been highly successful.

“The experience was even featured in a Czech newspaper,” said Jordan.

She said that this highlighted the international recognition of the collaboration and the value of such partnerships in promoting education and industry on a global stage.

The academy is eager to bring more students to SA as these initiatives are key in creating and sustaining relationships between countries and preparing young professionals for the global workforce.

It also enables local manufacturers to benchmark themselves against worldwide standards, which is vital as the country seeks to strengthen its position in the global industrial and skills sectors.

More critically, Jordan said, was the role it played in nurturing SA’s immense economic potential.

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