Mechanical Engineering Department

University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 650 3231
Fax: +27 (0) 21 650 3240
Internet: www.ebe.uct.ac.za

Practical Training for 2nd and 3rd Year Students (MEC2000X

and MEC3000X)
It is a Departmental regulation that all Mechanical Engineering students undertake a six week course of
practical training during the long vacation.
The principal objectives of the vacation training are:

To gain insight into the problems associated with the operation and maintenance of mechanical
plant
To understand something of the management and organisation of engineering enterprises

To see the application of the theoretical studies in practice and to realise the importance of
engineering judgement
To gain some appreciation of the duties and problems of the practising engineer

To gain an overview of the nature of productive organisations and the way in which they work

Students are expected to participate in activities such as the following:

FOR SECOND YEAR STUDENTS (MEC2000X)

Maintenance and adjustment of plant and machines

Installation, testing and commissioning of plant

Manufacture and repair of machine components

Fault-finding and repair of machines and systems

FOR THIRD YEAR STUDENTS (MEC3000X)

Discuss problems and seek information on technical matters with the Engineer in charge

Investigate the nature and purpose of the organisation in which they are working
1. the planning, operation and economics of industrial processes
1. the organisation and methods in industrial design offices
1. commercial contract procedures and project work
Execution of small projects, tests or investigations

It is the responsibility of each student to arrange his/her own employment. Certain students with
bursaries will be expected to work for the company providing the bursary. These students should
therefore check with their bursars before applying to other companies for vacation employment.
Students are required to submit a report on the work they did during the vacation.
This should include:
A short background about the firm they worked for, its organisation and structure, including:
1. the principal raw materials and inputs used by the organisation
1. the principal product of the organisation

1. the principal productive processes employed by the organisation

1. the roll played by the department within the organisation
A description and discussion of the work actually done

A GUIDE FOR THE EMPLOYER

At the end of the second and third year of study, a Mechanical Engineering student must complete a
period of at least six weeks of suitable practical training in an approved engineering organisation.

For SECOND YEAR STUDENTS (MEC2000X), the period of vacation work will be most usefully spent if
they are allowed to participate in activities such as the following:

Maintenance and adjustment of plant and machines

Installation, testing and commissioning of plant

Manufacture and repair of machine components

Fault-finding and repair of machines and systems

It is desirable that the students act as an assistant to specific individuals, directly involved in these
activities during each portion of their training.

For THIRD YEAR STUDENTS (MEC3000X), this period of practical training is probably the last before
graduating. It is desirable that they gain some appreciation of the duties and problems of the practising
engineer as well as an overview of the nature and purpose of the organisation for which they have been
working. The following suggestions may help employers in the planning of a suitable training
programme:

Students should be allowed some contact with the Engineer in charge to discuss problems and seek
information on technical matters

Students should be allowed some time, to investigate the nature and purpose of the organisation in
which they are working

1.
1.
1.

Student training should be directed towards:

the planning, operation and economics of industrial processors
the organisation and methods in industrial design offices
commercial contract procedures and project work

Execution of small projects, tests or investigations by students is a most valuable form of training
and often of use to the employer

On arrival at your plant the student will give you an Employers Report Form. It would be appreciated if
this report could be posted/emailed/faxed soon after the student has completed the training.
The student will be required to produce evidence of his/her employment and the type of experience
gained in the form of a work diary, certified by the employer. Because the training of engineering
students is a vital part of their education we thank you for your assistance.

Dr G VICATOS Pr.Eng
Training Officer

EMPLOYERS REPORT
To be sent by email to:
George.vicatos@uct.ac.za

STUDENTS NAME & NUMBER:

Training course:

MEC2000X

MEC3000X

Period of training:

Organisation offering training:

Name of employer:
Address:
Tel:

Fax:

Please indicate as appropriate:

PERFORMANCE
Attitude towards work
Relationship with colleagues
Work competence
Time-keeping
General behaviour

VERY GOOD

ACCEPTABLE

BAD