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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
MAY
2015
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MARKETPLACE
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
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
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,
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.
Apprentices (from left) Matthew Volkwyn, William Jeffree and
Raeez Abrahams.
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CALL FOR STEEL AWARDS 2015 ENTRIES
The SouthernAfrican Instituteof Steel Construction
(SAISC) has called for entries for the 2015 Steel
Awards and photo competition.
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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.