Experiential Learning
National Diploma in Electrical Engineering is offered in a co-operative manner. A co-operative education program is one in which academic study for entry into a profession is usually combined with an experiential period of learning in industry in such a way that they supplement each other. The experiential period involves the solution of real problems, giving practical experience of the application and usefulness of knowledge gained at the Nelson Mandela University. Experience shows that the integration of theory and experiential learning creates diplomats who are more mature and hence readily employable. Work experience encourages students to develop a greater sense of responsibility, place more reliance on their judgment, and find greater meaning in their studies.
Students become involved with people from different spheres of life and develop a greater confidence when working as part of an engineering team. To fulfill the requirements of the National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical a student must complete two semesters of applicable Experiential Learning.
It is imperative for students to register for the experiential learning component using the registration form that is obtainable from the Experiential Training Administrator of the Faculty or which is available on the Internet at www.elecengmandela.ac.za
Although the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Nelson Mandela University will help as far as possible to arrange placement for experiential learning, in the final instance the onus in this respect will be on the student. Many firms sponsor students and in these cases the experiential learning is naturally arranged by the sponsoring firm. It is a compulsory component of the National Diploma: Engineering Electrical and is controlled and managed accordingly.
The experiential learning modules, namely, Engineering Practice I (P1), Electrical Engineering Practice II (P2) and Electronic Engineering Practice II (P2), is a minimum of 24 weeks in duration or a minimum of 800 notional hours. The learning differs in that P1 focuses on developing hand skills by participating in physical work while P2 requires a much higher level of synthesis, responsibility and accountability as would be expected of an engineering technician. This would be done under supervision of a mentor, but facilitating some independent work by the student.
The Department of Co-operative Education and Graduate Placement assists with student placements and provides the following services to students and potential employers or training institutions:
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Job adverts.
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Facilitating Interviews.
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Assisting with contracts.
The Experiential Learning Assessor is responsible for the guidelines for experiential learning, monitoring, assessment and accrediting the training.
Detailed guidelines are provided in the P1 and P2 Logbooks, which is available on the Internet at www.eleceng/mandela.ac.za
It is the student’s responsibility to present and discuss the guidelines in the Logbook with the mentor or applicable company representative prior to engaging in any learning to ensure that the scope of learning proposed by the employer/training institute meets the guidelines in the Logbook.
The Head of Department (HOD) of the Department of Electrical Engineering or Experiential Learning Assessor may be consulted for any clarifications needed.
Experiential learning not registered, will not be recognised for the National Diploma: Engineering: Electrical.
Students that have completed an apprenticeship or formal learnership may apply for recognition towards experiential learning units. Please contact the HOD or Experiential Learning Assessor for further information.
Please note:
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It is recommended that students complete at least the first year (S1 and S2) before attempting Electrical Engineering Practice I. Electrical Engineering Practice I should be done during the second year.
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It is recommended that students complete at least the second year (S3 and S4) before attempting Electrical/Electronic Engineering Practice II.
The following experiential learning documents are available to download:
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Experiential Learning Registration Procedures
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Registration form for Experiential Learning
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Electrical Engineering Practice I (P1) Logbook
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Electrical/Electronic Engineering Practice (P2) Logbook
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Experiential Learning Certification Form