Contractor Development Programme reaches out to emerging contractors

The Department of Transport and Public Works offers structured training to enhance the skills and business expertise of emerging construction enterprises in the Western Cape.

During February and April this year, the Department ran successful four-week contractor development training programmes for emerging building contractors in Riversdale and Worcester (ending tomorrow), and in Piketberg and Saldanha (ending in May).

The course has a modular design so that participants can continue to actively run their construction businesses while they study. The course is designed to support the Department’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Course components are:

1. enterprise development, 
2. building the construction business, 
3. applying innovative safety principles to the construction site, and
4. managing the construction site.

Ntombi Sibozo, a contractor business owner from Zwelethemba, says that after only a few years of experience, her theoretical knowledge about managing a construction business was limited. The Department’s training has made a big difference.

“I can now share the knowledge I’ve gained here with the people working with me. Some of the key topics I’ve learned about include drafting construction contract documents, leading and supervising construction teams, and tendering for construction contracts,” she said.

The Department remains committed to assisting participants, including women, to become better at running viable business entities. This will give them the knowledge and skills to develop and grow their businesses so that they can generate an income for themselves, and possibly create job opportunities for others.

In addition to this four-week training, the Department also offers a ten-month accredited training course for Level 2 Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) contractors.

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

Tel: 021 483 8924
Email: Jo-Anne.Beukes@westerncape.gov.za