Survey for the optimal process of providing mentoring and refereeing support for candidate Engineers, Technologists and Technicians to achieve the competency levels and to enable registration.

The SAIMechE has developed a curriculum (PDP) that facilitates the training and development process that is required to be followed by Candidate Engineers, Technologists and Technicians to achieve the evidence that enables assessment by Mentors and Referees so as to comply with the 11 Outcomes that define professional competence. Please refer to the website www.saimeche.org.za/ for the details of the curriculum.

The current system is to facilitate this process by means of monthly (11 per annum), one day workshops held in selected locations which are attended by between 6 and 8 Candidates, and administered by a Mentor trained on the requirements of the process. Candidates from various employers are required to attend at the chosen location for that day. In-house workshops are also arranged where there are sufficient candidates employed.

It is now envisaged to consider providing alternative support via an on-line virtual learning system in which candidates participate on a more frequent basis for durations of up to say 90 minutes per session on a webinar interactive platform. This would enable Candidates to participate in communal learning groups from any location and at times suited to the workplace constraints and from home locations. The webinars would be facilitated and administered by Mentors fully trained on the system and who would nurture the interactive process for the participants. This is envisaged to take 3 to 4 sessions per outcome. Full scheduling would be provided in advance, and candidates would login to participate.

In addition to the above, there would be the attendance at the Candidate’s workplace by 

Mentors on an agreed occasional visit basis to supplement the support.

The current funding of Candidate training to remunerate Mentors can be provided from various sources. The Candidate, the Employer, or the direct funding by the SETAs. Proven precedent now exists for the funding from the SETAs and this avenue is being formally established.

Those Members who are considering achieving the level of professional competence meeting the 11 Outcomes and which can enable registration with ECSA, are asked to indicate the preferred method of the two processes outlined above adding comments to this article.

Physical

Workshop

Webinar

with mentor

visits