Instrumentation specialist, Endress+Hauser, in close co-operation with Thekwini FET College, TEKmation and sponsor Mondi BP, has officially opened its second instrumentation school, the Dr Georg Endress Instrumentation Training Facility, in KwaZulu-Natal.
As part of Endress+Hauser's ongoing commitment to uplifting and developing communities through education, the school was built on the Cato Manor Campus of the Thekwini FET College, in the heart of the community.
Nico Marneweck, Endress+Hauser training manager and architect of the project, says that the decision to build the school in the midst of the community ensures that it serves the people of the area and is a vital step in bringing down the crime rate by providing an opportunity to the youth.
L – R: Tony Jacobsen, Endress+Hauser MD; Nico Marneweck, Endress+Hauser training manager; and Peter Wetzer, group corporate sales director, Endress+Hauser Switzerland
"The idea of the school first came about when Endress+Hauser won a contract to supply Profibus technology to Mondi Merebank. It was then realised that there was a serious skills shortage in KwaZulu-Natal especially regarding Profibus."
The project's initiator and main proponent, Eugene Muthen from Mondi Merebank, approached Endress+Hauser in 2004. Together, the companies agreed to set up an instrumentation school where students and industry trainees could become proficient in all types of instrumentation.
"We went through a list of academic institutions before settling on Thekwini College. Once we had made our choice, we approached other vendors, Rockwell Automation and Metso, to aid with the process equipment," says Marneweck.
"This is the first time we have relied on a third party to maintain the equipment. We discovered that the college itself did not have the skills to maintain the equipment or provide technical support. We approached TEKmation to do this and the company stepped in and installed and commissioned the instrumentation."
Endress+Hauser, Rockwell Automation and Metso provided the instrumentation and equipment for four fully functional working stations.
"We will maintain and provide upgrades and new technology to the facility and will be providing training to TEKmation if needed, so that they can maintain the equipment and pass that knowledge on."
Marneweck adds that the ongoing success of the first instrumentation school at the Pretoria West Campus of the Tshwane South College enables Endress+Hauser to provide the new school with valuable insight, knowledge and expertise.
Eight trainees will be enrolled in the practical module per trimester and will comprise of industry trainees and students from the college. This number is expected to grow in the coming years. The first graduating class will be in 2008.
The facility was opened in the last week of January by acting rector, Dr Gavin Chapman with Peter Wetzer, corporate sales director from the Endress+Hauser head office in Switzerland and Logie Naidoo, deputy mayor of Durban, unveiling the plaque. Also present was Dave Govender, director of TEKmation Training Institute, Tony Jacobsen, Endress+Hauser MD, Nico Marneweck, Endress+Hauser training manager and Dr Nzama, the general manager of FET Colleges.
For more information contact Nico Marneweck, Endress+Hauser, +27 (0)11 262 8000, [email protected]
WirelessHART solutions Endress+Hauser South Africa
Industrial Wireless
By combining its innovative product portfolio with a deep application and industry knowledge, Endress+Hauser enables its customers to optimise their processes, boost productivity, and ensure their safety and environmental compliance.
Read more...Endress+Hauser celebrates 40 years Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
Endress+Hauser South Africa was joined on its stand at Electra Mining Africa by valued customers, representatives, colleagues and industry friends for a spectacular cake cutting ceremony to celebrate 40 marvellous years in southern Africa.
Read more...Endress+Hauser celebrates 40 years Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
Endress+Hauser South Africa was joined on its stand at Electra Mining Africa by valued customers, representatives, colleagues and industry friends for a spectacular cake-cutting ceremony to celebrate 40 marvellous years in southern Africa.
Read more...Process technology: SICK and Endress+Hauser sign strategic partnership Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
German sensor company SICK and the Swiss measurement and automation technology specialist Endress+Hauser have agreed on a strategic partnership. Endress+Hauser will take over worldwide sales and service of SICK’s process analysis and gas flow measurement technology, with a joint venture to be established for their production and further development.
Read more...Sensor technology for brewing Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Brewing is a delicate balance, blending tradition with innovation. Now, modern sensor technology is stepping in to perfect the art of fermentation.
Read more...Cloud-based inventory management Endress+Hauser South Africa
Level Measurement & Control
Netilion is an award-winning cloud-based IIoT ecosystem designed for industrial processes. It connects the physical and digital worlds to send valuable information from the field straight to your phone, tablet or other device.
Read more...Technology for water sustainability Endress+Hauser South Africa
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The sustainability of surface water is critical for South Africa’s economic development, social well-being and environmental health. Endress+Hauser has a full range of liquid analysis sensors and transmitters to measure important parameters and has an excellent global track record in water and wastewater process plants and various surface and industrial water monitoring sites.
Read more...Optimise sludge treatment and reduce operational costs Endress+Hauser South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
The Endress+Hauser inline measuring devices, the Proline Teqwave MW 300 and the Proline Teqwave MW 500, determine the total solids content of wastewater directly through microwave transmission.
Read more...Optimising steam management for boiler efficiency Endress+Hauser South Africa
Temperature Measurement
Endress+Hauser understands the daily challenges and demands placed on energy and utility managers across the spectrum of steam generation, distribution and consumption activities. Its global team is committed to working with its partners to overcome these complexities, and particularly those that aim for a safe, economic and sustainable sitsce of steam energy production and delivery.
Read more...The reliable flowmeters for challenging industrial processes Endress+Hauser South Africa
Flow Measurement & Control
Ultrasonic flowmeters have made enormous progress since their introduction into industrial measurement technology. The technology is now fully developed, but it still has a wide range of potential applications. Endress+Hauser is driving forward the development of its clamp-on flowmeters with time-of-flight ultrasonic measurement by improving performance, simplifying handling throughout the entire life cycle, and expanding the areas of application to include off-label uses.
printer friendly version