Government is intensifying efforts to build State capacity and strengthen infrastructure delivery by expanding South Africa’s pool of skilled artisans through strategic partnerships with tertiary institutions and industry.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is working to grow the country’s pipeline of professional artisans as part of a broader drive to improve the State’s ability to plan, build and maintain critical infrastructure.
Central to this effort is the department’s plan to rapidly roll out artisans by re-establishing departmental workshops across the country.
Speaking at the 4th Annual Construction Business and Project Management (CBPM) Conference in Cape Town, DPWI Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala said collaboration between government, academia and industry remains critical to achieving this goal.
He confirmed that the department will launch a new Centre of Excellence at the University of Cape Town.
Similar Centres of Excellence have already been established at the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand and Walter Sisulu University.
“The work that the institutions are doing is useful in ensuring that there is a coordinated approach and a seamless contribution to the body of knowledge which finds expression in practical implementation.
“We need greater collaboration between government, industry and other partners to accelerate delivery and scale of innovation,” Zikalala said.
The Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of coordination among stakeholders in addressing challenges related to infrastructure delivery, housing provision, procurement, sustainability and technological advancement.
He said that by fostering collaboration, driving innovation and promoting the exchange of insights, Centres of Excellence can play a transformative role in reshaping the built environment.
Zikalala also reminded delegates that government has set itself a target of developing 30 000 artisans per year, as announced by the President during the 2023 State of the Nation Address.
To support this target, the department has already launched the Artisan Development Programme, which focuses on developing critical construction trades including bricklaying, welding, carpentry, painting, mechanical, fitter and turner, electrical work, plumbing and boilermaking.
The programme is aimed at addressing South Africa’s skills shortage while ensuring the State has the technical expertise needed to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently and sustainably.
The Deputy Minister called on the private sector, academia and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to play a greater role in helping South Africa train enough artisans, noting that current throughput remains insufficient at only 15 000 graduates per year from technical colleges.
“Let us construct beyond buildings and roads, but hope, opportunity and lasting progress for generations to come,” Zikalala said. – SAnews.gov.za
