Page 3 - EngineerIT November 2021

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Budget CSI for future profits

ou may wonder where I am coming from when I The supporting of institutes and industry associations is
say that your Corporate Social Investment (CSI) also important. Some companies may not regard this as
Yexpenditure should positively influence your CSI, but it is. Institutes such as the South African Institute
company’s future profit. Let me explain. of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE), Institute of Electrical and
Electronic Engineering (IEEE), Society for Automation,
CSI is a company’s overarching approach or strategy for Instrumentation, Mechatronics and Control (SAIMC) and
improving the social, environmental and economic well- many others, directly influence the future skills in the
being of its community or society at large. This is done by country through their membership and development
budgeting wisely and directing funds to projects that may programmes. But being a member or corporate sponsor
not only benefit the community, but also the industry is not enough. Companies should become actively
in which a company operates. A great example of this is involved, share their insight and expertise and encourage
Nelson Mandela University’s Coding Unplugged project. their engineers and technicians to be actively involved, as
is appropriate for their industry.
Considering the ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution
(4IR) and the shortage of relevant skills in South Africa, EngineerIT will make editorial space available for
government is actively driving the introduction of coding companies to share information on their involvement in
and robotics in schools from Grade R onwards. projects, in order to encourage other companies to do
the same and help build skills for the future.
An investigation of the published draft curricula shows
a heavy reliance on the availability of computers, The last point I would like to make about CSI for profit
other technologies (e.g. robots, circuits), as well as is for companies to involve themselves in industry
teachers with a solid understanding of topics such as associations, many of which are involved in technical
coding and electronics. skills development while also giving industries united
voices when dealing with government shaping future
For industry it is critical that the teaching of coding in regulations that are growth-based.
schools is a success, cultivating the skills pipeline into
higher education, and thus increasing the number of As always, I invite your comments. Drop me an email
software developers desperately needed by our economy. at hansv@nowmedia.co.za or send me a WhatsApp
voice note.
In his article on page 8, Professor Greyling wrote: “Since
the target impact group of this project is disadvantaged I trust that you will enjoy reading the articles in this
communities, we are dependent on corporate and private edition as much as I enjoyed putting them together.
sponsors to sponsor coding kits for schools or coding
clubs situated within communities. We strongly believe Regards
that this is a CSI investment that has a direct impact on
the career dreams of learners in our country.” Hans van de Groenendaal
Editor
This is exactly the point I am trying make: by investing Email: hansv@nowmedia.co.za,
part of a company’s CSI budget into projects, there can Tel: 082 781 4631
now be long term profit effects to ensure that industry Visit our web age at www.engineerit.co.za and join up for
has the skills to drive successful businesses in the future. our free Tuesday and Thursday newsletters

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