Contractors benefit from training session
A group of local contractors were recently upskilled in basic construction management expertise in a five-day training programme at the Ezibeleni community hall.
The session was aimed at ensuring contractors delivered projects efficiently, included theoretical and practical learning.
Innovative Economic Revival Agency MD Sam Lekalakala said the session, along with Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s involvement, was aimed at helping capacitate contractors.
“We are conducting construction management training. This comes from the challenges we normally have in the construction industry. We have contractors who are stuck at a lower level and are unable to get contracts due to lack of experience. We want to close those gaps,” said Lekalakala.
More training sessions are scheduled and will be rolled out in different wards within EMLM.
“We want to develop them, we want to check where they are lacking in terms of compliance and requirements of getting the contracts and assist where we can,” he added.
Participant Phumlani Cetyiwe said the initiative was needed.
“In many instances, especially among us black contractors there is a gap when it comes to competency.
“The project has assisted in many aspects. You could see that there were psychological elements to it.”
Asanda Mhlekwa, a contractor and one of the organisers, said the programme was important as local business people needed support.
As a female contractor, Phutikazi Siwaphi said: “What I took out from the session was that we have to realise we are capable of accomplishing a lot of things, especially when we come together. Some of us got to see how the sector works, its dynamics and that has changed our mindsets.”
Bonga Gawe said while other training sessions had been held previously, this year’s programme was “more advanced”. He commended EMLM for being involved.