Training institute supports comprehensive access to telecom skills
19 October 2005
News
While the telecoms industry holds the potential to be a significant contributor to a country's economy, it does require specialist vendors to commit to the transfer of skills in localities.
Lucky Masilela, director of training at the Siemens Training Institute in Tshwane, says South Africa's telecommunications industry - like other technology-related industries - faces a critical skills shortage that is unlikely to be addressed by traditional educational institutions.
"Telecommunications is an exceptionally fast-paced industry with new technologies emerging on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the majority of educational institutions do not have the access to emerging technologies nor the flexibility to be able to adapt quickly to changing market requirements," he says. "In the case of those facilities that are able to offer up-to-date programmes, they are mostly unable to offer practical experience."
Masilela says that while vendors investing in R&D have access to technologies before they hit the market, few of these are willing to extend their training programmes beyond employees, and the companies that have invested in the solutions. Siemens has long recognised that this practice does not facilitate sufficient skills transfer and has opted to open its training facilities to the public.
He says that the role of the Siemens Training Institute is to ensure that any person or company that is interested in the telecoms industry, has access to relevant programmes that are up-to-date and immediately applicable following completion.
Masilela adds that the company's programmes extend beyond traditional technical offerings, "Although Siemens Training Institute does offer an extensive range of technical courses, we also offer programmes that address other market requirements."
As an example, he says senior management charged with making strategic decisions are not interested in learning the nuts and bolts of telecoms systems; however, they still need to be up-to-date on trends, regulations and emerging technologies in order to make informed decisions.
Committed to 'building skills in Africa for Africa', Siemens also uses the Institute to aid the skills transfer aspects of its social development initiatives.
For more information contact Sharon Schön, Siemens Communications, +27 (0)12 678 2751
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version