Publication: Phalaborwa Herald
Date: July 2018

The goal of the CESA (Consulting Engineers South Africa) Job Shadowing Initiative, is to expose and entice school learners to the engineering field, but more so into Consulting and Environmental Engineering.

By giving them an experience like no other, learners get a chance to imagine, live, work and play Engineering, opening their minds to a world of possibilities and opportunities.

The Job Shadow Day Provided opportunities for high school learners to experience time in an engineering work environment, shadowing top executives.

It is a practical step towards enabling them to make the connection between what they learned at school and their future career goals.

Knight Piésold Consulting engineering firm (KP) participated in the CESA Job Shadow Day on June 20.

The KP Phalaborwa Office hosted fourteen Frans Du Toit High School learners, grades 10-12, who have an interest in pursuing a career in engineering.

Le Roux Loubser (Regional Manager) and Sue Bohlmann (Marketing & Projects Administrator), introduced the learners to the working world of consulting engineers, where they experiences the in-office environments as well as an on-site visit.

Learners had the opportunity to ask questions to get a better understanding of the day to day tasks and responsibilities of civil engineers, environmental scientists, project managers and the supporting disciplines in a consulting engineering firm.

Knight Piésold enriched the learners’ understanding of the diversity of engineering as a career, with a comprehensive presentation, followed by a site visit tour of the Olifants River Barrage (a KP designed dam wall) and water treatment and supply facility.

Engineers work hard and play hard, so to wrap up their “Day in the Life of a Consulting Engineer,” the learners were treated to a fun outing and lunch.

A boat cruise on the river enabled the learners to get a close upstream view of the Barrage wall, while enjoying delicious hamburgers and ice-cream!

The students who attended the CESA Job Shadow Day are:  Abri Bester, Jacques-Louis Els, Chad Esterhuizen, Chanelle Grobler, Maruschka Knox, Nhanhla Mboweni, Tsoga Moagi, Tshepho Mokganya, Jacinta Pinto, Yune Porteus, Simone Raubenheimer, Cornu Schoeman, Aldrich van der Merwe, and Christiaan Wilkens.

Riaan van Rhyn, a teacher at Frans du Toit High School, would like to thank: Knight Piésold Consulting Engineers for hosting the Job Shadow Day, Lapelle Northern Water for a very informative site tour and Ikondile Civils for sponsoring the transportation of the students.