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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
MAY
2015
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”.
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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.
Beware of
‘TRAINING IMITATIONS’
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.
Training in progress at South Africa’s most respected concrete technology
training institute: The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology.
John Roxburgh, lecturer
at the SCT.