Gregory De Beer

Based in Gauteng, South Africa, Gregory De Beer is an electrician who chose to pursue the Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) through the Engineering Institute of Technology (EIT) to expand his skills and shift into more advanced, design-focused roles. His story is one of reinvention, family balance, and staying ahead of South Africa’s growing energy needs.

Choosing EIT Sparked a Clear Direction

For Gregory De Beer, the decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) came after hitting a ceiling in his domestic electrical career. Although he was experienced and successful in his field, he craved more, more responsibility, more challenge, and more knowledge.

Initially, he looked into local courses to boost his business. But delays, lack of support, and administrative hassles made the path unclear. It wasn’t until a conversation with a family member already enrolled at EIT that things started to change.

“That conversation really opened my eyes,” Gregory recalls. “I reached out to EIT, and their quick, professional response just blew me away. I felt supported from day one.”

What stood out most was the genuine interest EIT showed in his success. This wasn’t just another enrollment process, it felt personal. “They made it easy to say yes,” he says.

The decision marked a major turning point, not just academically, but personally. Gregory now had a clear goal: elevate his expertise and transform his career in a way that aligned with the future of South Africa’s energy sector.

Flexibility Makes Full-Time Learning Possible

As a business owner working on-site most days, Gregory needed a study format that didn’t interrupt his livelihood. Remote learning through EIT offered that flexibility and more.

He often listens to live lectures through his phone while working, seamlessly integrating his studies into his daily routine. “It’s not just convenient, it’s smart learning,” he says.

Even exams have been a positive experience. “You can start your assessments when you’re ready; no traffic, no rush. It really helps you perform your best.”

Gregory also appreciates the respect EIT shows for working professionals. The platform allows him to engage with content when it suits his schedule, while still holding him to high academic standards.

That balance, structure with flexibility, has made his learning journey both sustainable and empowering. “It fits around your life without compromising quality,” he adds.

Balancing Family, Business, and Study Time

With two small children and a growing business, time is Gregory’s most valuable resource, and his greatest challenge. “Honestly, I don’t always know how I do it,” he laughs.

Fortunately, being self-employed means, he can delegate on-site work to his team while handling quotes, invoicing, and study from the office. He’s also made a non-negotiable rule: evenings from 5 to 8 are reserved for his wife, Ria, and their two children, Maylee and Aiden.

After family time, Gregory hits the books. “That’s when I watch tutorials or catch up on missed classes,” he says. On weekends, especially during assessments, his wife takes the kids out to give him focused time to work.

“It’s not easy, but we make it work,” Gregory explains. “You have to respect both your studies and your family; there’s no reward in neglecting either.”

His approach is disciplined, but never rigid. Gregory’s success comes from consistency, support, and the motivation of knowing each subject passed brings him closer to long-term career growth.

Learning Tools Elevate On-Site Practice

Though Gregory hasn’t fully explored EIT’s remote labs yet, he’s already applied many course concepts directly to his work. Modules in programming, for example, have helped him troubleshoot and configure older inverters more confidently.

“I’ve also upgraded how I use Excel; small things like better quoting templates have had a big impact on efficiency,” he says.

The subject BSC104: Engineering Drawing and CAD was a standout. With lecturer Dharmit Thakore’s structured teaching, Gregory learned Autodesk Inventor in a way that felt natural and progressive. “No YouTube video can replicate that experience,” he adds.

Maths, typically a daunting subject, became more enjoyable thanks to lecturer Alister Anderson. “He presents it in a way that makes you laugh and learn; sometimes both at once,” Gregory smiles.

Even though he hasn’t used remote labs extensively yet, he knows they’ll become invaluable as he transitions into more design-heavy roles where simulation tools are critical to success.

A New Path in South African Energy

Studying with EIT has broadened Gregory’s understanding of the global energy landscape, and how South Africa fits into it. He now sees the country’s solar energy boom not just as a business trend, but a national opportunity.

“The grid isn’t ready for all this backfed solar,” he says. “There’s huge potential, but also massive challenges.” He believes more strategic engineering thinking is needed to manage this shift sustainably.

He’s also deeply concerned about cable theft, a widespread issue with safety and infrastructure consequences. “Cables are ripped from transformers; I’ve seen it happen. If someone can solve that, they’d deserve a Nobel Prize,” he notes.

With his new skills in software like MATLAB, Simulink, and EasyEDA, Gregory feels better equipped to tackle these issues. “I’m learning tools that simplify design and help me stay globally relevant.”

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, Gregory sees his qualification not just as an academic achievement, but as a gateway to greater impact. “I’ll be able to engineer the systems I used to just install, and that changes everything.”