The industry should play a leading role after this summit towards formulating a Charter for the Construction Industry.
I am pleased to see representatives from South African Women In Construction (SAWIC) in this summit. Following the successful Women in Construction Summit we held last year we will be having a follow up in August to take stock of our resolutions.
Following discussions here we should carry forward a proposal to establish a Western Cape Construction Forum to look at both short term and long term programmes for the industry. This, I believe will lead to us having an industry speaking in one voice.
My challenge to the industry is that it must move away from polarized and entrenched positions. This is unhealthy for the industry. You must embrace transformation. This can be done through partnerships.
Our Preferential Procurement Policy is work in progress, which should be used by the industry to look at issues of equity etc. However, we will continue with engagements with the industry from time to time. There is also what is called the "incubator approach" which the industry must embrace to have mentorship/support programmes for emerging contractors to help them grow. In partnership with the industry we will do this with assistance from the National Department of Public Works and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The construction industry is not yet geared up to receive the probable growth at middle and senior management level regarding with regards to capacity. There is a need thefore, for interventions to remedy this situation.
Coordination of Training Initiatives is very critical to achieve goals on a needs analysis. The industry must target schools, especially primary to inculcate a culture of maths/science learnership to encourage learners to take up engineering as a subject. Doing this at grade 12 level is a bit too late. The industry must therefore form creative partnerships with schools and institutions of higher learning.
My department is already doing its bit. Through our learnership programme we have managed to get 28 students from disadvantaged communities to qualify as engineers. Unfortunately, through lack of partnerships with the industry 4 of the 28 were not taken in by the private sector, which should be a partner in embracing newly qualified students.
The industry also has to organise itself into associations so that we do not have to deal with individuals. This is imperative for unity.
In conclusion, I believe that it is through summits like these, based on constructive engagement that we can make the industry grow stronger.
