Page 23 - EngineerIT June July Issue 2026

ENGINEERING

Maartens emphasises that GRIP
will produce engineers who
are automation-ready, digitally
fluent, plant-ready, and globally
competitive.

“This is how we can protect and
grow South Africa’s industrial
base. To implement GRIP (SAIMC
Graduate Rotation for Industry
Programme), we need industry
buy-in and support, which is
something we are putting much
energy into,” says Maartens.

SAIMC — a driving force
towards a competitive South
African industry
SAIMC NPC is a voluntary
association of the Engineering The SAIMC complies with all these the Computer Engineering Council of
Council of South Africa (ECSA) conditions. the SAIMC in collaboration with Prof
under Section 36(1) of the Henri Marais of North-West University,
Engineering Profession Act Its membership comprises individuals, from both functional and educational
(Act 46 of 2000). companies, original equipment perspectives.
manufacturers, educational
The SAIMC drives the recognition institutions, and engineering “The Council is optimally positioned to
of automation, instrumentation, practitioners across all levels, ranging advocate for and support computer
mechatronics, and computer from artisans to engineers who engineers as outlined in the code.
engineering. It is a body of specialise in the field of automation. In addition, the SAIMC Computer
knowledge supporting ECSA, Advisory Council serves as a Special
education, and individuals to “Our purpose is to make our members Interest Group of MESA International,
make effective and efficient use of successful,” says Maartens. with one of its key responsibilities
automation-related technologies being to evaluate and adapt
and algorithms, driving recognition “Our technologies include disciplines international standards and best
of these disciplines as enablers such as computer engineering and practices for local application.
for the effective and efficient mechatronics, as well as various forms
application of new technologies. of automation like factory and process “Within the SAIMC, the Computer
automation. Our expertise spans all Engineering Council will assist members
levels of the ISA-95 model, from sensor in registering with ECSA as engineers,
To qualify as a voluntary
installation and calibration to ERP technologists, and technicians, ensuring
association with the Engineering
integration. that they can continue their work in
Council of South Africa, several
compliance with legal requirements."
criteria must be met, including:
“When ECSA decided in 2023 to
• The association’s core mission
define computer engineering as a He concludes: “The Council is also
must include promoting the
new discipline, we approached the engaging with tertiary institutions
engineering profession.
Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions to influence curricula, ensuring the
• The association must formally
Association (MESA Africa) to assist delivery of market-ready computer
declare its commitment
in defining the code of practice for engineering practitioners.”
to promoting registration
computer engineers. MESA had already
with the Council among
carried out work in the manufacturing To learn more about the SAIMC and its
its members and must
engineering space. initiatives, visit www.saimc.co.za.
endeavour to secure a
commitment from its
“As a result of our approach, the We welcome your feedback and further
members to register with the
previous MESA Africa Executive discussion on this article and others in
Council.
Committee was appointed to manage EngineerIT.
23 | EngineerIT June/July 2026