Building contractors complete advanced training and mentoring programme

The Department of Transport and Public Works Contractor Development Programme has made it possible for 15 emerging construction contractor-owners to successfully complete its 24-month Siyenyuka advanced accredited training and mentoring programme. A certificate handover ceremony was held in Stellenbosch on 26 May 2016 to mark this milestone.

The annual Siyenyuka programme forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), and is free to participants. Every year, it adds value to the construction industry and plays a key role in the development of emerging building contractors in the Western Cape. As a direct result of the Department’s mentoring and training, a number of participating contractors have advanced to a higher level on the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) rating scale. A construction business with a higher CIDB rating can tender for larger and more complex contracts.

Through Siyenyuka, businesses classified by the CIDB as Grade 3, 4 or 5 General Building (GB)/ Civil Engineering (CE) enterprises have worked with mentors who have helped identify their specific development needs. Targeted training has then been provided to assist participants with:

1. compliance and tendering processes (pre-tender phase), 
2. legal and project-related processes (on- and off-site mentoring), and
3. business development assistance (enterprise development).
    

EPWP Chief Director Richard Petersen says this initiative is one of the Department’s key investments to support contractors to grow and expand their businesses, comply with industry standards, and be able to effectively compete for tenders.

“We are constantly looking for ways to assist emerging contractors to benefit from government infrastructure projects and, at the same time, to meet our empowerment targets. Hopefully contractors can create more jobs as they get more contracts. We will be giving the same opportunity to a new group of contractors soon,” he said.

Gloria Joseph of Gordian Fence SA in Blackhealth said, “As entrepreneurs, we face many challenges and often we become despondent. It’s good to know that the Department supports us to comply with technical requirements so that we can submit tenders.”

It is clear that the Department and these contractors both benefit from the programme. Contractors leave the programme with the practical skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the built environment sector. The Department expects to benefit from better quality construction and from having to spend less time managing the quality of contractors’ work.

If you are interested in participating in the activities of the Contractor Development Programme, please contact Jo-Anne Beukes on 021 483 8924.