Construction World May 2015

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FUNDING FOR FUTURE MASTER BUILDERS Recognising the need for funding to be made available to further the growth of skills within the South African construction sector, the Master Builders Association of theWestern Cape (MBAWC) has implemented a number of initiatives. Among these are the donation of bursaries and an apprenticeship programme.

2010, has seen 142 matriculants being given the opportunity to earn while they learn. “The MBAWC pays for their training and places them with our member organisations for experience,” explains Keal. “After all, a worker that understands his or her trade produces quality work.” He continues, “Our first intake of apprentices will be qualifying next year and we are looking forward to equipping the class of 2014 with the skills and experience they need to become master builders. Appren- ticeships not only create skilled people, but also future entrepreneurs in the industry.” Matthew Volkwyn, Raeez Abrahams and William Jeffree are among the apprentices who will be qualifying in 2016. The three are currently employed by RMI Plumbing while they study towards qualifications as artisans. Of being awarded an apprenticeship Volkwyn, who was the MBAWC Apprentice of the Year in 2014, says, “It was a relief to get an apprentice- ship. At my previous job, my boss said that I could work there but that I would need to pay for my own studies. When I found out this opportunity was available I jumped on it because I was not earning what I wanted, but through MBAWC I could do something about it.” He hopes that his qualification will enable him to work for a good company and stay there until he retires. “I want to become a foreman one day and from there go on to become a supervisor.” Abrahams shares that he is very grateful to have been given this opportunity. Having grown up with financial struggles, the MBAWC apprenticeship has offered him a chance to pursue a lucrative career in a field that he loves. Once he qualifies he intends to work for another few years, gain experience and build up a client base in order to start up his own company. Jeffree too would like to establish his own plumbing company on completion of his apprenticeship. He says, “It is difficult to get an appren- ticeship nowadays so I was very pleased when I got it.” Additional programmes offered by the MBAWC include short skills courses as well as full skills programmes in various trades. These are offered free of charge to employees of MBAWC members. “We are also exploring the development of programmes in maths and science to equip young people in disadvantaged areas of theWestern Cape with knowledge in these essential subjects,” shares Keal. “By providing young people with the means to further their education we are ensuring not only the growth of skills in South Africa, but the growth of the country too,” concludes Keal.

This year, the association for employers in the building industry has provided approximately R519 000 in bursaries to 21 young people who are employed by MBAWC members and have completed their first year of studies. According to Group Skills Facilitator at the MBAWC Tony Keal, “These bursaries have been given to individuals who have been recommended by their employers as well as by other institutions.” He adds, “We only provide tuition for those that have attained fair results in their first year of education as there is a huge dropout rate during the initial year of study.” The MBAWC’s apprenticeship programme, which was implemented in >

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Apprentices (from left) Matthew Volkwyn, William Jeffree and Raeez Abrahams.

CALL FOR STEEL AWARDS 2015 ENTRIES The SouthernAfrican Instituteof Steel Construction (SAISC) has called for entries for the 2015 Steel Awards and photo competition.

tubular content, cladding: workmanship, innovation, special solutions, size, speed, architectural finish etc. and more. “In short”, says Pretorius,“the primary criterion for Steel Awards is: ‘Does the project illustrate what can be achieved with steel?” The best photograph of any entry also wins an award and effort is made to give all projects entered some publicity. The Steel Awards take place in Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape on 3 September 2015.

SAISC communications manager Renee Pretorius says that after the high standard of the 2014 Awards, there has been extraordinary expectation throughout the steel construction industry

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in relation to this year’s Awards. Although the judges decide on the categories and winners based on the actual entries received, the following awards and categories will definitely happen: Overall Winner, Tubular Category, Light Steel Framing Category, Factory and Ware- house Category and a new category for carbon steel based cladding related issues. There are several factors that are considered when judging. These include: the importance of steel as a structural component of the project, benefits achieved by using steel construction, aesthetic appeal, environmental/ sustainability consideration, innovation in design, fabrication or construc- tion, technical prowess required for realising the project, engineering expertise, exceptional quality of workmanship,

CONSTRUCTION WORLD MAY 2015