The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has managed to employ the majority of the students who received comprehensive bursaries from the local government institution on a full time basis, since a strategy to counter the loss of engineering skills was conceived in 2004.

Councillor Andile Mfunda, Portfolio Committee Chairperson for Infrastructure, Engineering, Electricity and Energy, said this initiative bodes well for the municipality since 30 of the 43 individuals who received bursaries from the municipality are already part of our team.

“Another three will officially report for duty during the first two months whilst 9 are at various stages of completing their studies. Only one student left the municipality after finishing the compulsory working period.

“We are also not just throwing these young men and women into the deep end, as Council approved an item in 2012 for the appointment of retired engineers to mentor the bursars and inexperienced staff.

“This programme is extremely important as we not only give students an opportunity to study without the headache of worrying where the money for tuition, meals, accommodation and books will come from, they also get stipends while getting practical experience in the work place. To top it all, they are also assured of a permanent job after successfully completing their studies.

“With our intake of students this year, our aim is to address the need for qualified students in B Eng (Civil Engineering), BSc: Mechanical and B Sc: Electrical Engineering,” Mfunda said.

The municipality says it will publish a call for prospective engineers to apply shortly.

Bursaries for study are available in the following engineering disciplines:

BSc. Civil Engineering
B. Sc./B. Eng Mechanical Engineering
B. Sc. Electrical Engineering

For more information visit http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/