A WINNING TEAM IS PRODUCING CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY W

Before coming to EGA, I worked at Denel (Swartklip) in the Ammunition Plant as an operator and cartridge filler. From there, I enrolled in the military and I was there for 19 years. I worked really hard at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and finished top of my class. I went on to reach the rank of captain and that journey taught me to believe in my dreams and work hard.

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STAFF TO MOVE “UP” ALONG THE ASSEMBLY LINE?

There is always room for improvement and the energy sector is such a dynamic field to work in. New technology is always being developed at EGA and as part of growing we are expanding our solar manufacturing plant, so new opportunities always exist. EGA also has the policy of offering any new positions internally before recruiting from the outside.

HOW DO YOU RECRUIT STAFF FOR THE SOLAR PANEL PRODUCTION LINE?

Initially, the company recruited five ladies. Today the five of us provide most of the training to the new recruits. When there are available positions, we communicate those to the ladies already employed to introduce the company to other ladies from underprivileged backgrounds. Part of the interview process is that the recruits spend an entire day at the factory: first shadowing the employees and then performing what they observed. We select the individuals who show the most promise. Thus far we have been very successful in recruiting new employees this way. The emphasis is on women empowerment.

HOW MUCH TRAINING IS PROVIDED TO NEW AND EXISTING STAFF?

Our department understands the importance of ongoing training and refresher courses. In short, training never really stops.

WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A NEW STAFF MEMBER?

From my experience, ladies can work very neatly. They pay a lot of attention to detail and are able to perform very delicate work.

These are exactly the characteristics needed in this environment. It was also the company’s vision to have the world’s first all-female Solar Assembly Plant.

What Are The Difficult Parts Of The Jobs

THAT ARE DONE AT THE FACTORY?

The most difficult part of the job is the final lay-up and buffing of the solar panel. At this stage the wafers, the part of the solar panel where the energy is stored, are very delicate and vulnerable to breakages or chips because they have not yet been laminated. Burring through the back sheet with a rotary hand tool is also one of the more delicate jobs.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH A WOMEN-ONLY TEAM?

Every day brings its own challenges, but the ladies that I am working with are really a winning team. They simply refuse to give up! People always look at the Solar Plant and tell me how talented I am and how much I have achieved. I like to correct them and tell them that I would never be able to do it alone.

It really takes teamwork and communication. I wish you could see the first 20-watt panel we made. I can honestly say that it was the ugliest panel we ever made.

It was atrocious, but we were so proud of it… and it worked, it yielded electricity! We have battle scars from soldering irons but looking back it was all worth it and so much fun, because we learned from the experience.

I don’t think the fact that we are an all-ladies team ever occurred to me until people started talking about it. I think females can do just as much, if not more than males can do and I always try to preach the genderequality gospel to my team.

The truth is: there are just some things that females excel at and luckily for me, I have managed to make it my daily bread.