France to train SA scientists
6 October 2003
Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has signed an exchange agreement with French nuclear company AREVA that will enable prospective scientists and engineers to undergo training in their chosen fields.
In terms of the agreement, the French company has committed R10-million to provide training to South Africans in exchange for credits in terms of the industrial participation programme.
The training will be conducted in two phases, covering nuclear science and engineering. A group of 10 trainees have already completed the first phase of training in France, with the second group of 15 scheduled to leave later this month.
The Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa has been appointed to coordinate the capacity building programme for the second phase, which will cover fields such as radiation protection, nuclear engineering, reactor physics and environmental monitoring.
"We have observed that we have very mature and
experienced scientists in the country, but we have not worked hard enough to devise a good succession plan", Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
The minister said the French have also undertaken to give black-owned mining companies operational exposure in the industry.
"This will go a long way in ensuring that the country's BEE entities have the necessary skills and experience to help them succeed in this sector", she said.
Source: BuaNews
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