Letlotlo Phohole

• Co-led conceptualisation and establishment of Telkom Industry Solutions Lab as strategic partnership between Telkom and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University).
• Currently setting up multidisciplinary teams of critical thinkers, technologists, and researchers to drive cutting-edge innovations in telecommunications and digital solutions.
• Driving development of locally relevant products and solutions by leveraging established and emerging technologies, world-class innovation methodologies, and strategic partnerships within local and global innovation ecosystems.

• Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
• Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
• Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
• Manage University's Technology Transfer Functions
• Manage Innovation labs
• Proven ability to develop and implement creative solutions to complex problems.

• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
• Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines.
• Created positive impact through academic offerings in systems and industrial engineering.
• Led project-level application and action learning using human-centered approach.
• Drove development of competencies for sustainable innovation and partnership for systems solutions.
• Applied various systems engineering competencies and sustained center financially for 4 years.
• Led multi-skilled systems engineering team to tackle complex problems, including mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, applied mats, human factors and management of technology.
• Led enterprise engineering team that helps individuals and start-ups elicit ideas and develop them into products and services.
• Contributed to development of black industrialists from ideas to business-ready products and services.

• Led identification of competence gaps and development of competencies to address significant complex challenges in Transnet.
• Drove creation and strategic management of Transnet Matlafatso Centre focused on innovation and technology-based enterprise and supplier development.
• Built and managed projects in thematic areas such as e-Enablement, value chain optimization, port optimization, and competence development.
• Contributed to material issues such as employment, skills development, investment leveraging, regional integration, and health and safety.
• Developed feeder streams of highly qualified and contributing systems engineers and practitioners.

• Investigated market changes and devised approaches to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
• Led AMTS-IU initiative, conceptualizing and driving targeted, high-impact projects that strengthened competitiveness of manufacturing sector by promoting collaboration between industry, academia, and science councils
• Facilitated development of Centres of Competence in advanced manufacturing, resulting in pipeline of over R30 million investments in sector annually and stimulating commercialization of new technology-based products and processes
• Commissioned and facilitated feasibility study and business plan for Bio-composites Centre of Competence, which was successfully implemented at CSIR and resulted in 21 new designs, including 18 Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems, 1 Composite, and 2 Micro-manufacturing systems
• Led local team of experts in development of Micro-Manufacturing Strategy and competence development program that strengthened and further developed Mechatronics as formal academic offering, resulting in 282 students engaged in AMTS Technical programs, from intern to post-doctorate levels
• Rolled-out technology transfer vehicles at Centurion Aviation Village (Aerosud), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and Fabrication Laboratories (Fablabs in Gauteng, Free State, Northern Cape, and North West), making desktop manufacturing technologies accessible to youth in local and rural communities, supporting establishment and development of technology-based, commercially viable enterprises
• Generated 210 invention disclosures, including 3 patents pending, and published 20 refereed papers through implementation of AMTS-IU projects, while also placing 607 students in 204 companies, with 87% African and 39% female students, across all nine provinces.

• Managed team meetings and discussed project's goals and objectives with the Board comprised of industry and the department of Trade and Industry
• Provided ongoing cost and estimate analysis reporting and managed cost allocation.
• Built partnerships with industry experts, associations, and organizations to lead the first Technology Localisation initiative involving Foundry Industry with CSIR and Mintek.
• Assisted 28 foundries in addressing casting-related problems and challenges, and lean manufacturing issues.
• Facilitated benchmarking of 23 foundries' energy usage nationally, benchmarking against similar study performed in Australia by the Australian Die Casting Association and UNIDO.
• Involved in development of career paths for artisans in the foundry industry, highlighting Pattern making as a scarce skill, in collaboration with MERSETA.
• Facilitated training in industry targeting the youth and rural foundries, empowering local communities.
• Contributed to development of globally competitive foundry industry through appropriate skills training, technology transfer, and diffusion of state-of-the-art technologies, resulting in industry's growth and development.

Implemented the National Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy by:

• Managing Advanced Production Technologies, Light-weight material and Electronics Flagship Programmes.
• Commissioned Feasibility study and business plan for Biocomposites Centre of Composites (2008/09) and now implemented at CSIR.
• Led Micro-Manufacturing Strategy initiative from development up to projects initiation (AMTS Implementation unit).
• Generated pipeline of more than R30 Million investments in Advanced Manufacturing Sector per annum to stimulate development and commercialisation of technology based services, processes and products, which resulted in new designs, graduates up to doctoral level and generation of new intellectual property (invention disclosures and patents)
• Led competence development programme that lead to strengthening and further development of Mechatronics as formal academic offering at higher education institutions at institutions like Tshwane University of Technology, Stellenbosch University and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
• Led development and roll-out of technology transfer vehicles at Centurion Aviation Village (Aerosud), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and FabLabs aimed at decentralizing manufacturing in Gauteng, North West, Cape Town, Northern Provence and Limpopo - To support establishment and development of technology based commercially viable enterprises.
• Developed and Rolled out Technology Transfer Vehicles Nationally, including Fabrication Laboratories and Advanced Manufacturing Technology Laboratories (Aerosud/CAV; CPUT, NMMU) and Centres of Competence (Sensors and Composites)
• Introduced Mechatronics to number of academic institutions through the Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems program (Stellenbosh; TUT, NWU, NMMU) which contributed towards formal introduction of academic programs.

Worked with Innovation Fund and Deloitte Innovation

• Business Development for top innovation funded by the Innovation Fund.
• Developed Technology Commercialisation skills
• Conducted Patent analysis inputs SA IP Landscape
• Ran the Innovation Zone Management with Deloitte Innovation for Mondi globally (Open innovation competition)
• Demonstrated strong organisational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
• Developed strong communication and consulting skills through working on client projects.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

• Covered all areas of a technology lifecycle, from research, to implementation, including systems / logistics engineering and technology management as applicable to De Beers (DebTech)
• Developed projects on Control & Instrumentation, Advanced Process Control (application of artificial intelligence technologies), Systems and Logistics engineering, and Technology Management.
• Provided technical and functional recommendations based on project requirements.
• Supported technology design, testing and execution by providing research-based product and process knowledge.
• Oversaw technology management delivery, facilitating the flow from Research to Development division and implementation at the mines.
• Developed an AI project from ideation, research, development to successful implementation at a mine in Botswana.
• Researched emerging technologies to add value to current offerings.
• Authored test reports, software documentation and application manuals.