Mr. Luvuko Nkwenkwe, Employment Relations Coordinator, Coega Human Capital Solutions. In the evolving landscape of South Africa’s construction industry, the Coega DevelopmentCorporation (Coega) is taking significant strides to address skills shortages and enhance project delivery. As articulated by Mr. Luvuko Nkwenkwe, Coega Employment Relations Coordinator at Coega Human Capital Solutions, the organisation supports the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) B.U.I.L.D Programme. This initiative is important in cultivating a skilled workforce while simultaneously bolstering the capacity to deliver critical infrastructure.
The B.U.I.L.D Programme operates with a dual mandate: it seeks to enhance the construction sector’s ability to provide essential infrastructure and to develop a competent workforce equipped to meet current and future demands. By advancing developmental opportunities and enhancing project quality and productivity, the Programme plays a crucial role in driving economic growth throughout the construction sector. The government has recognised it as the benchmark for skills development via infrastructure contracts, underscoring its importance.
As a trusted public entity and operator of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), Coega has prioritised the effective implementation of the B.U.I.L.D Programme. Acknowledging the challenges posed by skills shortages, Coega advocates for robust strategies within its Human Capital Solutions (HCS) services to address these gaps.
HCS acts as the custodian of Coega’s labour management support systems, which include maintaining a comprehensive job seekers’ database and facilitating skills training. By spearheading targeted training interventions, Coega aims to close the construction skills gap, enhance local labour absorption, and elevate the technical capabilities of the local workforce.
To ensure the successful implementation of the B.U.I.L.D Programme and foster sustainable socio-economic development, Coega has adopted a proactive stance. This commitment not only opens doors for accredited skills development but also empowers job seekers while strengthening the construction workforce engaged in Coega’s infrastructure projects, such as bulk water and sewer infrastructure projects in the SEZ.
A key aspect of the B.U.I.L.D Programme is its mandate for minimum skills development targets for contractors. In this regard, Coega actively encourages and monitors compliance. Contractors can meet these development standards through various pathways, including facilitating that construction personnel obtain part- or full occupational qualifications, trade qualifications that lead to apprenticeship trade tests, national diplomas, or professional registration with recognised bodies.
To support these efforts, Coega provides a range of skills programmes such as Learnerships, Apprenticeships, Internships, Recognition of Prior Learning, and Artisanal Trade Testing in partnership with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) when targeted SETA funding is available.
Moving forward, Coega HCS remains committed to leveraging its strengths and expertise in implementing this regulatory framework aimed at skilling and upskilling the construction workforce.
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Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) is a beautiful city located on the coast in the Eastern Cape Province and is known as the “Friendly City”, with other towns in this district including Kariega (Uitenage) and Despatch. Forming part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Gqeberha has stunning beaches, historical museums and memorials, award-winning wildlife sanctuaries and super friendly people, making it a spectacular holiday destination.
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National debt: South Africa’s debt to GDP ratio is 48%. Compared to the USA (100%), Japan (200%), and the UK (90%) South Africa does not do too badly in this department. The World Bank recommends a ratio of 60%. With reasonable debt levels the likelihood that the government is able to repay its debt is high and that its fiscal policy is sustainable. This is conducive for starting a business in South Africa, knowing that the government will still be able to continue spending and thus stimulate the economy.