Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is working to expand the pool
of professional artisans in the country.

Through collaboration with tertiary
institutions and industries, the Department is aiming for rapid rollout of
artisans by re-establishing the Departmental Workshops across the country.

Speaking at the 4th Annual Construction Business and Project Management
(CBPM) conference in Cape Town, Deputy-Minister Sihle Zikalala confirmed
that the department would launch a Centre of Excellence at the University of
Cape Town. Such Centres of Excellence have already been set up at the
University of Johannesburg, University of 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,” said Deputy Minister Zikalala.

The DM emphasised the importance of collaborations and coordination of
various stakeholders in facing up to the challenges relating to infrastructure
delivery, housing provision, procurement, sustainability and technological
advancement. He said that through fostering collaboration, driving innovation
and promoting the exchange of insights, centres of excellence will advance
transformation in the built environment.

Mr Zikalala also reminded the conference that government has set itself a
target of developing 30,000 artisans per year as announced by the President
during 2023 State of the Nation Address. The Department of Public Works Public
and Infrastructure is one of the lead departments in this endeavour.

The
Department has already launched the Artisan Development Programme. It
focuses on developing construction trades such as bricklaying, welding,
carpentry, painting, mechanical, fitter and turner, electrical, plumbing and
boiler making.

The Deputy Minister called on the private sector, academia and SETAs to play
a greater role to ensure South Africa trains enough artisans as the current
throughput is way too small 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,” he concluded.

ISSUED BY: THAMSANQA MCHUNU