In South Africa, a bachelor's degree in engineering represents the first step towards professional registration as an engineer. The Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) accredits the degree programme offered by those universities and universities of technology that have engineering faculties. After completing an ECSA accredited degree programme, the engineer must satisfy a range of requirements, including work experience and a professional review, before being eligible for registration as a professional. Once registered, the engineering practitioner is designated as a professional engineer, technologist or technician.
This professional registration represents recognition from ECSA’s committees that you meet the minimum requirements expected of a professional person. The professional recognition you receive by becoming a member of ECSA instils a sense of confidence in the mind of the public, assuring them that your competence has been assessed by other professionals who are knowledgeable in your field of expertise. (“Register - Why Register - ECSA”) Engineers who are not professionally registered cannot sign design documents, so this is a key component of your growth and development as an engineer.
The ECSA is a co-signatory to the international "Washington Accord", "Sydney Accord" and "Dublin Accord" agreements in which the registering bodies of countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland recognise each other’s accredited university and university of technology degrees in engineering, confirming that your academic qualification and professional registration are internationally acceptable. This enhances your marketability.
Technical training
This is the foundation for any career in engineering, and is characterised by an understanding and working knowledge of science. Civil engineering students gain these foundations in their undergraduate and postgraduate education.
Mathematical skills
The day-to-day duties and routines of a civil engineer are rooted in the principles of mathematics and you will need a thorough understanding of algebra, calculus, trigonometry, and geometry.
Written communication skills
From technicians to project managers, Civil Engineers at every level must communicate via written reports and correspondence, clearly and concisely. Civil Engineers also deal with other professionals from various backgrounds such as architects, urban planners, regional planners, and other technicians and tradespeople. They may also be required to communicate with elected officials, citizens, and others who may not have technical backgrounds in engineering or science. This means that Civil Engineers must be able to write in an easily understandable and straightforward manner as is appropriate for their audience.
Oral communication skills
The same applies for oral communication. Civil engineers must listen to clients, officials, team members, and other skilled workers to grasp their concerns and requests effectively and must be able to explain complex technical information concisely to address these concerns.
Leadership skills
The responsibility for the outcomes of projects falls on the Civil Engineers who manage them, making it important to demonstrate significant leadership skills when overseeing planners, technicians, technologists, surveyors, and contractors. Leadership involves being able to plan and prioritise, manage time effectively, delegate duties, make decisions with confidence and authority, and keep team members motivated and engaged.
Organisational skills
One of the main duties of a registered professional Civil Engineer is to monitor and evaluate the progress of work completed at a jobsite and to make sure that staff are following design documents, project plans, and other rules and regulations. They are also the only ones who can sign design documents for infrastructure projects. Because professionally registered engineers hold this responsibility for the official documents and because they often work on multiple projects at once, they must be able to organise project information, manage team members, and allocate resources appropriately.
Problem-solving
Analytical skills are vital. During the different stages of a project, engineering practitioners will encounter several variables that will influence the outcome or change the progress of a project. This is when they need to harness their skills, education, and experience to find safe and cost-effective solutions to the issues that arise, while keeping the project on track.
Decision-making
Civil engineers must consider the available information, conflicting goals from different parties involved, professional ethics, financial responsibilities, and safety concerns when making decisions. They need to have confidence in themselves and in their team for providing accurate and useful information to make decisions that are clear and effective. When mistakes are made, they should take responsibility, learn from the mistake, and guide the project on a new path.
As technology evolves and the needs of growing populations change, Civil Engineers also need to continually strengthen their existing skillsets and spend time honing and developing new ones. Each new skill Civil Engineers master could help them land their dream job or rise the ranks in their existing organization, while ensuring they have a positive impact on the societies and communities in which they operate.
Formal University Degree Options:
University of Technology Degree Options: