The study, which was conduced by the CSIR, is entitled ‘Built Environment Professional Skills Supply-Side Audit 2007', and its findings are seen as important in the context of the country's growing demand for professional services and the need to expand the pool of skills in the built environment sector.

Commenting on the study, CEO Bheki Zulu said: "Unfortunately, current trends suggest that this critical skills base is at a decline. There are insufficient new entrants to offset the number exiting and the representativity of the sector is still at odds with what can be considered adequate."

He said that the statistics show that the race equity profile is low, but that there has been a significant increase in the proportion of black professionals - from 9% in 2002 to 21% in 2007.

"Worrying is the low gender representation, which currently stands at less than 10%," Zulu added.

The CBE is a coordinating body of six professional councils, including the Council for the Architectural Profession, the Engineering Council, the Council for the Landscape Architectural Profession, the Council for the Project and Construction Management Profession, the Council for the Property Valuers Profession and the Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession.

The symposium is open to the public, attendance is free and the gathering is set to take place from May 14 to 15 May at Gallagher Estates, in Midrand,

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