As organisations across Africa adopt smarter systems and digitalisation in their operations, the demand for skilled and registered professionals is increasing. At this year’s Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF), The Society for Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, and Computer Engineering (SAIMC) will deliver a series of training sessions and technical workshops, providing engineers, technologists, and technicians with the tools they need to register professionally, stay compliant, and contribute to industrial innovation.
ECSA registration training
SAIMC CEO and industry veteran, Johan Maartens, will lead this session, guiding attendees through the process of completing their ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) registration forms. Registering with ECSA is an essential step for professionals in automation, instrumentation, and related fields. With decades of experience in the petrochemical and manufacturing sectors, Maartens understands the challenges engineers face on the ground.
“Professional registration sets you apart,” says Maartens. “It confirms that your experience has been assessed by at least nine peers. You have been tested and found to be proficient.” This training session will set out for practitioners the steps they need to take to move from being ‘qualified’ to being ‘recognised’, supporting their career growth and credibility in regulated industries.
Computer engineering in industry
In another session, SAIMC COO, Gerhard Greeff, will demystify the role of computer engineering in industrial environments. Greeff, who has over 35 years’ experience in manufacturing operations management (MOM), will help participants identify where their current work may already qualify as engineering – and how they can ensure they’re operating within legal and professional boundaries.
“The SAIMC is committed to inform, advise and guide computer engineers through the ECSA registration process so that they can continue working legally without fear of penalties,” Greeff notes.
This session will be especially valuable for software developers, IT technicians, and control systems professionals working in operational environments.
A collaborative workshop: C&I retrofits
In this workshop, hosted by SAIMC and Eskom, Eskom’s Khaya Sobuwa will focus on Control & Instrumentation (C&I) retrofit projects in power stations. Sobuwa, Gx C&I Corporate Specialist at Eskom, will explore how SAIMC and Eskom can work together to improve plant performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and transfer critical institutional knowledge across teams.
With South Africa’s power infrastructure under pressure, this workshop aims to offer fresh insights into modernising legacy systems with smarter, standards-driven engineering practices.
AATF 2025 is set to take place 6 to 8 May 6 at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. It remains the continent’s premier platform for automation, digital transformation, and innovation in industrial technologies. The involvement of SAIMC this year reinforces a central message: Africa’s industrial future depends on innovation – and on the recognised, accountable professionals who drive that innovation forward.
For more information visit: www.africaautomationtechnologyfair.com
