CAPACITY BUILDING AND CONTRACTOR EMPOWERMENT

For over two decades, South Africa has been
repairing the imbalances of its past. The Bantu Education system armed many
with below-average schooling – today’s most basic human right. This system
deprived the largest population of basic skills, such as the critical thinking
and problem-solving involved with mathematics and science. Now, the
construction industry bears the scars of its recent history.   

The balance to be attained between academic and skills development taunts the
built environment academe. Such skills include the know-how to bid effectively
for projects and fulfil them profitably while mitigating risk and creating a
means for future businesses. These factors are catalysts for change in a sector,
paving the way for small and medium enterprises. 

Small businesses, on the other hand, face numerous obstacles slowing down their
sustainable growth and development. These obstacles add to the slowing growth
of the smaller, mostly privately-owned construction companies. Again, education
plays a massive role in enhancing their growth opportunities and ensureing more
effective implementation. 

According the Small Business Institute, in order to create employment for over
nine million people without work, policy makers and regulators must support an
environment that is conductive to the growth and competitiveness of South
Africa’s small and medium enterprises. 

It is evident that empowering small businesses is a critical step towards
growing the South African economy. Thus, in order to assist small and medium
enterprises, the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo will offer two
free-to-attend CPD-accredited workshops, taking place from 11 to 13 June 2019
at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg. 

“Our workshops aim to create opportunity for emerging contractors and are
designed to boost their participation, both at the event and in the country’s
economy, by equipping them with the necessary skills to enhance their daily
operations,” explained Kelly Easton, programme director at Africa’s mega
construction show.

The Architecture Talks and Contractors’ and Transformation Corner will
contribute towards transformation in the construction industry and the
development of SMME contractors, who have been recognised by government as
crucial for industry development, economic growth, job creation and poverty
alleviation. Workshops will be presented by industry leaders, such as NAFBI,
SANIKA and PMSA. 

“We are co-hosting the NAFBI conference together with the African Construction
Expo within the same venue. You will have a national conference of the
federation, which brings together about 500 to 600 members from all provinces
and as part of that they will also experience the construction expo,” said Aubrey
Tshalata the CEO of the National African Federation for the Building Industry
(NAFBI) to Buildaid Radio. The expo will also provide ample chances for SMME
and main contractors, as well as others working across varied sectors of the
industry to network. 

dmg events – South
Africa 
dmg events is a leading organiser of face-to-face events and a publisher of
trade magazines. We aim to positively impact the African economy and community
by providing platforms for public and private sector professionals to connect
and forge strong relationships that will drive the future of the African
continent. With two offices based in South Africa, dmg events organises 14
events in Africa, bringing together more than 30,000 professionals from the
Construction, Infrastructure, Coatings, Mining, Transport, Food & Beverage,
Trade and Hospitality sectors.  

For more information, or to secure attendance, visit www.africanconstructionexpo.com