As the D-day (1 April 2025) for professional registration of Technicians, Technologists and Engineers approach, there are still Directors, ISO 9001 Quality Managers, Managers and even technical staff who are ignoring the implications of not registering with ECSA in the hope that this will pass and be another “great idea” that will go away like so many other “good ideas” of the past. Some even use the excuse that “Professional registration” was punted since 2000 and was just as successful as the e-toll gate episode, not realising that “Engineering Work” is now defined, enabling the implementation of the Engineering Professions Act 2000.
As of 1 April 2025, engineering practitioners not registered with the ECSA must do “Engineering Work” under the supervision of a registered person or face a possible fine of up to twice the salary they earned while doing “Engineering Work”.
Professional registration of technicians, technologists and engineers in our field may now register as follows: Engineering Discipline: Mechatronics
Sub Engineering Discipline:
- Mechatronic Devices
- Factory Automation
- Process Automation
There could be some confusion that I would like to clarify:
When an engineering practitioner (technician, technologist or engineer) registers in a particular discipline, they must understand they do not register as a Professional Technician Factory Automation, for example. A person must choose the correct discipline to enable ECSA to choose assessors who can assess their work experience.
For example, what prevents a person registered in the Electrical Engineering Discipline from working in Factory Automation? The ECSA Code of Conduct addresses this question, stating that you commit to work only in those areas in which you are competent. I registered under Electrical since the new discipline was not available then. But I spent most of my years in Factory and Process Automation.
Call to Action:
- Engineering Practitioners: Apply for registration as soon as possible. Please do not wait for someone to decide on your behalf. It could turn out to be the costliest mistake you have ever made.
- Supervisors: You need to be up to date with the requirements of the specialist staff under your supervision; it is part of your responsibilities.
- Allow your staff to attend CPD-assessed events like courses, exhibitions, etc. Apart from gaining knowledge and skills to assist your business, they will also obtain the CPD points they need to remain registered.
Johan Maartens Pr. Eng. CEO: SAIMC