Basic Surveying Training for Building Contractors

Western Cape building contractors are benefiting from a five-day accredited skills training course in basic surveying offered by the Department of Transport and Public Works. The Cape Metropole regional training event is taking place in Durbanville this week, and similar courses will be offered to contractors from other regions from next week at the same venue.

The training is part of the Department’s Siyenyuka Advanced Training and Mentoring Programme that aims to empower contractors with knowledge and skills through mentoring and training, which results in individual empowerment and sustainable businesses development.  This course is open to contractor businesses that have been rated by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) at Level 3, 4 or 5. The course, which is accredited by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), covers the use of a dumpy level to gather spatial data, as well as how to represent, analyse and manage data gathered in this way.

Many participants had never used a dumpy level before. Thurston Erasmus (29), a skilled worker from Blackheath, says his company currently hires surveyors to capture spatial data.

“Hopefully, I will be able to capture readings myself soon, and save the company money,” he said.

Ebrahim Isaacs (20) from Rondebosch says the training will be useful to him as he studies for a mechanical engineering qualification at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

“Just to familiarise myself with the dumpy level and being able to capture data with it will benefit me. It will also look good on my CV,” said Isaacs.

Through its targeted and practical skills training endeavours, the Department is assisting building contractors to thrive in the built environment sector.