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Lighting

Ikageng

Developing SkillsIt’s fair to say that, as South Africa cements its place as a world player in many different industries, recruitment is an issue that companies find themselves worrying about more and more. Expansion is something that drives successful business professionals, and when it comes to maintaining a skilled, passionate workforce capable of proving themselves on a global stage this drive can often be seen in the development of schemes designed to help society’s disadvantaged achieve what they deserve. A genuine passion for community outreach becomes a way for businesses to thrive – a form of altruism that benefits everyone involved.

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Engineering

LightingIkageng are a community-minded electrical contracting

and engineering company, with a passion for helping disadvantaged

South Africans achieve their potential. CEO Goitse Moselane

spoke to about the company’s recruitment philosophy and the development of interesting

new technology related to the Internet of Things (IoT).

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(CETA), in order to create a development programme that helps disadvantaged individuals gain skills that benefi t both themselves and employers. With a particular focus on engineering, programmes like this have the aim of plugging skills gaps in industries that require skilled workers in order to continue to grow.

However, improving the employment situation in South Africa is not just a side project for a company busy providing its own services in a competitive industry. Moselane says that “Our aim is to not only be pioneers in our service, but also to attempt to eradicate unemployment on a larger scale, by providing on the job training to unskilled workers formerly unemployed, students completing their work-integrated learning programmes, as well as to enhance the existing skills of scarce skilled workers”. This synergy between successful business practice and a generous approach to recruitment has been explored by several companies operating in Africa, and indeed around the world, but rarely is it so essential to the way a company operates.

Ikageng CEO Giotse Moselane is aware that within South Africa’s disadvantaged youth there is an untapped resource waiting to be discovered. The company has partnered with the Central University of Technology and Motheo TVET College, together with South Africa’s Construction Education and Training Authority

The electrical engineering industry is one in which technical skills are gold dust, and so nurturing them and, importantly, retaining those employees that have them is a concern that other industries don’t feel quite so much. By working with reputable institutions, as well as providing

“Our aim isto not only be pioneers

in our service, but also toattempt to eradicate unemployment

on a larger scale

“Our aim isto not only be pioneers

in our service, but also toattempt to eradicate unemployment

on a larger scale

I k a g e n g E l e c t r i c a l

5563 VOLTEX - Lighting Structures - Eastern Cape Industrial March/Apr ‘16

Lighting Structures is the leading supplier and manufacturer of High Lighting Masts in South Africa and Africa at large and has been in operation since 1976.

The following masts are manufactured in our East Rand factory:

Railow and Hydro Masts (20 – 40 metres)- Used in high density housing areas, industrial yards and

roadway interchanges

Midhinge Masts (10 – 25 metres)- Used in parking areas, roadway lighting and general

area lighting

Access Masts (10 – 70 metres)- Used for sport lighting applications

LEADERS IN LIGHTING MASTS

Tel: 087 310 1000 wbrough@voltex.co.za

www.lightingstructures.co.za

Contact Lighting Structures for more information on our high lighting masts.

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excellent on-the-job training, Ikageng are ensuring their workforce keep up to date with some of the complex tasks expected of them, and making provisions for the company’s continuing growth. Moselane is passionate about holding on to his valuable employees and fostering a sense of community within his team. He tells us that “Considering the scarcity of skilled engineers and electricians, we understand the importance of retaining our staff by providing an environment conducive to growth and development. We also encourage leadership training by allowing skilled individuals to lead and carry projects, thereby teaching the qualities of accountability and responsibility. We have found this to be uplifting and creates a sense of ownership among the team”.

Street Light Control SystemThe Internet of Things (IoT), an area of vast potential for business in Africa, is about the future of objects and the way that, due to the internet, they will soon be communicating with us, and with each other. The phenomenon promises to change how we interact with the world and to streamline many aspects of technology and infrastructure that previously required time and manpower to perform tasks better achieved via digital means.

One of Ikageng’s latest projects is a perfect example of the IoT in operation. Most of us don’t notice street lamps, except for the fact that they helpfully light the way after sunset, and seem to do so without much input from us. Of course, this isn’t the case – lighting streets is large operation, requiring a lot of skill and technology to implement and maintain. It might not seem like such an important concern, but intelligently lit streets are a reliable signal of a successful infrastructure. Ikageng

“One of Ikageng’s latest projects is a perfect example of the IoT in operation.

I k a g e n g E l e c t r i c a l

Engineering

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has developed a web-based street light control system that promises to save energy as well as reduce maintenance costs. The control system can be controlled on mobile devices, making this project an excellent example of how the IoT is changing things around us that we normally take for granted. The system will have an intelligent feedback feature able to notify engineers automatically when discharge lamps need to be replaced, and the system can be programmed

to detect unwanted tampering, such as the theft of cables.

Ikageng are also involved in renewable energy projects, and have recently submitted a tender (currently under adjudication) for a 10MW solar farm. Other projects include cable fault location and maintenance, electrification in hospitals and commercial and industrial premises and high mast installation, as well the projected growth of their street light control system. The relationship between a country’s infrastructure and the skills and health of its workforce could hardly be better illustrated by Ikageng’s continuing success.

“The control system can be controlled on mobile devices, making this project an excellent example of how the IoT is changing things around us that we normally take for granted

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Ikageng Electrical 2 Alpha Str, Old East End, Bloemfontein, 9301 P.O. Box 12595, Brandhof, 9324

Tel: +27 (0)51 430 1469 Fax: +27 (0)51 430 3494Email: info@ikagengelectrical.co.za

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©Essential Business Magazine 2016