What is an engineering technician?

The technician contributes technical knowledge to the team. He or she converts the technologist’s ideas into workable plans. Although a certain amount of analytical work is required, the technician spends a lot of time examining processes and associated activities on the factory floor. This may entail gathering information about the processes involved or developing and implementing improvements that will increase productivity.

To qualify as a Technician the National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, awarded by UNISA, must be obtained. Generally, this qualification is divided into the equivalent of a minimum of two years full-time study at a tertiary institution and one year of practical training in industry. To qualify as a Registered Technician with ECSA, the technician will require a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution, followed by at least an additional two years of practical experience.