Construction World August 2017

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2017
“We have been successfully running a num-
ber of NQF-level bricklayer training courses
out of our three training centres at Avoca,
Lansdowne and Lawley for a number of
years now with fantastic results achieved,”
said Christie van Niekerk, Corobrik manager,
Western Cape. “In our continuous effort to
meet the needs of these community mem-
bers, we recently introduced the nine-week
bricklayer programme which is specifically
aimed at creating employment opportunities
for local residents by enhancing the public
facilities at small, rural towns.”
The Western Cape training centre,
headed by Ismail Rothman, Corobrik
Building Training Coordinator, are not-for-
profit with attendees sponsored by various
organisations such as the Swellendam
Tourism Economic Empowerment
Partnership (STEEP).
STEEP is a project implemented by
the Swellendam Tourism Organisation
(STO) in partnership with the Jobs Fund,
Swellendam Municipality, Western Cape
Provincial Government, WESGRO and
others. The three-year project, which
started in January 2015, aims to create
jobs, provide skills’ training and unlock
The technical bulletins are aimed at
generating awareness about particular
product ranges and their specifications,
standards, advantages and applications,
Incledon chief marketing officer Kelly
Wilson explains.
“Changing customer needs in the
way information is received has spurred
Incledon to adopt a digital approach to
product awareness,” Wilson elaborates.
The decision to go electronic not only gives
Incledon a far wider reach, but also appeals
to young upcoming engineers who rely on
smartphones, computers, and tablets as
their main sources of information.
The technical bulletins are aimed at
external customers and staff on a national
basis, in addition to professionals in
the engineering and built environment.
Launched in February 2017, the process of
Building on community skills with bricklaying programme
Corobrik’s dedication to improving the lives of disadvantaged community
members through training programmes continues to grow with the
implementation of a nine-week bricklayer course. Twelve Swellendam
community members completed the training course in March, empowered
with skills for suitable employment in the construction industry.
new enterprise opportunities to the benefit
of the disadvantaged communities of the
Swellendam municipal area, while growing
and sustaining the local tourism and related
economies through enhanced destination
marketing and management. There is
particular focus on improving the lives of
women, the youth, the disabled, the elderly
and those who have never had employment.
The 12 candidates sponsored for the
training programme all came from the
Suurbraak, Buffeljagsrivier and Railton
communities. They were taught bricklaying
practices, as well as life skills, which
would enable them to establish their own
businesses. With Swellendam being a
popular tourist attraction, the graduates –
who received Certificates of Achievement –
will be able to build braais and other public-
use facilities in and around the area.
Farouk Davids, skills’ training co-
ordinator of STEEP, said all the candidates
expressed an interest for self-improvement.
“The key considerations in the
selection process were people interested
in bricklaying with some experience in the
building and construction environment,” said
Davids. “They were looking to become part
of a skilled workforce and were willing to do
hard work.”
STEEP also works to engage the trainees
in meaningful employment following the
training process.
“During the training, we work with local
construction and the building industry about
possible employment opportunities,” he
said. “A highlight was co-ordinating a local
building and construction industry forum
where the trainees were introduced. We are
continuing discussions with construction
companies that expressed willingness to
provide job opportunities.” 
eBulletins to promote range
As part of the value-added service it offers its clients, Incledon disseminates
regular bulletins containing technical information on its product range.
gathering the relevant information for the
inaugural technical bulletin commenced in
August 2016.
“There are no email attachments that
clog mailboxes, but rather an embedded
link that connects to the particular product
catalogue that sits on the Incledon server,”
Wilson explains, who oversees the creation
and dissemination of the technical bulletins.
All catalogues are available for download
from , should any end
user miss a technical bulletin, or require a
specific link not yet emailed to staff and
customers. Wilson adds that anyone can
subscribe to the email list to receive the
technical bulletins from Incledon.
“Incledon works closely with its key
suppliers and business partners to ensure
that the latest technical information is made
available,” Wilson comments. All technical
bulletins issued will be unique to the specific
product being communicated.
The information incorporated covers
manufacturing standards and material
designation, product applications and uses,
product specifications, relevant certifi-
cation (where applicable), advantages and
benefits, technical details (such as size in
mm, OD, ID, and wall thickness), and CAD
drawings (where available), showing the
technical details. 
eBulletins generate awareness about products
and their specifications, standards, advantages
and applications.
CONSTRUCTION WORLD J LY