Construction World May 2015

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PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Beware of ‘TRAINING IMITATIONS’

Roxburgh says the SCT places a high priority on staying at the forefront of concrete technology and continuously upgrades courses accordingly. “What’s more, the School is privileged to be able to draw on the input of local concrete technologists to add value to the technical content of its courses. Most of these experts are respected world-wide and generously contribute their time because of the relationship they have with The Concrete Institute. The unrivalled status of the School of Concrete Technology in the South African training field is important to remember particu- larly now as more and more unproven new training consultants appear on the scene to pitch for corporate business.” The Southern African Readymix Association (SARMA), for example, recently issued a warning about “supposed top flight, high- priced concrete training workshops being marketed to the industry that contain information not relevant to the local market and are not recognised by any of the local industry’s representative bodies”. > The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology (SCT) has for decades been trusted as the most authoritative provider of concrete technology training in South Africa “So beware of the increasing number of opportunistic training touters now popping up in South Africa,” warns John Roxburgh, lecturer at the SCT.

SARMA said the course contents appeared to be based on overseas conditions and climates. Roxburgh says the emergence of these bogus training initiatives is not surprising. “Concrete is by far the most widely used construction material in the world and because of its durability, eco-friendly quali- ties and economic benefits, the demand for more skills and advanced training in the concrete industry is increasing. But it should be remem- bered that training is technique and climate-specific, to name just two factors, so training based on overseas conditions and techniques could actually be counter-productive to South African companies. He recommends that only training, workshops, or seminars endorsed or run by The Concrete Institute, The Concrete Society of Southern Africa, SARMA, local universities, or SA companies or associations associated with the local concrete industry should be supported. The SCT Level 10 course, for example, is an introduction to concrete suitable for Clerks of Works, construction team leaders, junior techni- cians and sales staff or anyone wanting a short but detailed introduc- tion to concrete. The SCT Level 20 courses – aimed at more senior foremen, Clerks of Works, technicians, sales and engineering staff - build on the concepts and foundations laid down in Level 10 courses. The SCT Level 30 Concrete Technology courses are more intensive and designed for civil and structural engineers or highly experienced tech- nicians, sales managers and building contractors. Courses are run in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape TownandPort Eliz- abeth. A correspondence course ‘Concrete Technology and Construc- tion’ (run with permission of The Institute of Concrete Technology in the UK) is also available. The SCT’s prestigious Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT) course carries a diploma which enjoys world-wide acceptance as the leading qualification in concrete technology. The fact that the UK Institute of Concrete Technology appointed the SCT to present this diploma course in South Africa testifies to the unique international recognition the SCT enjoys. Roxburgh says it should also be remembered that South African companies stand to gain immediate benefits from sending staff to SCT courses. “Their staff members will return with a thorough knowledge of concrete concepts, the most up-to-date ‘best concrete’ practices, latest concrete trends and leading edge technologies, all designed to help staff make meaningful impacts when back at work,” he explains.

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John Roxburgh, lecturer at the SCT.

Training in progress at South Africa’s most respected concrete technology training institute: The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology.

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2015