The Concrete Institute’s School of Concrete Technology will this year again present a basic - but “absolutely essential” - training course in concrete technology for diverse operational levels in the construction sector.

John Roxburgh, senior lecturer at the School of Concrete Technology in Midrand, says the aptly-named two-day Introduction to Concrete course is suitable not only for emerging and new building contractors, small or medium-sized enterprises, but also for any newcomer to concrete-related work responsibilities.

“For a start, sales and laboratory staff as well as site employees will greatly benefit from the SCT 10 Introduction to Concrete course. The training - augmented by laboratory sessions with hands-on experience - deals with essential elements of concrete operations such as getting the basics right and knowing why certain procedures and practices are required. This is essential background knowledge for anyone planning careers in concrete and concrete-related industries,” Roxburgh states. “In fact, even the most junior staff in companies in the cement and concrete sectors should be armed with the knowledge this course offers.” 

He says the increasing number of emerging building contractors now entering the construction industry will also greatly benefit from the Introduction to Concrete training. “Concrete plays a major role on any construction site and needs to be placed and finished off correctly for any contract to be successful and a new company’s reputation to be established. Unfortunately, many newcomers to the construction industry tend to think that making suitable concrete is merely a matter of mixing some sand, stone and water with a bag of cement. There is far more to producing sustainable concrete than such basic knowledge.”

Roxburgh says the Introduction to Concrete course will give emerging contractors and other key players in the construction industry important information to edge out competition. “It is a course that covers all essential aspects such as the basics of materials for concrete, batching and mixing of concrete, and the necessary requirements for transporting, placing, compacting, and protecting as well as curing of concrete.”

Also included in the course are topics such as:

• Properties of concrete;
• Receiving and storing materials;
• Testing of concrete;
• Finishing and surface preparation;
• Formwork and reinforcement;
• Sand-cement mixes; and
• Durability of concrete.

“For emerging contractors, an additional benefit is that one of the School of Concrete Technology’s experienced lecturers, Matthews Magwaza, can explain concrete concepts in five South African languages,” Roxburgh adds. “Our total offering for all levels of competency explains why the School has for many decades been the most respected provider of concrete technology education in South Africa.” 

More details on the SCT10 course and other more advanced training from the School of Concrete Technology planned for Midrand, Cape Town and Durban  this year are contained in the SCT 2019 Education Programme which can be obtained by phoning 011 315 0300 or email sct@theconcreteinstitute.org.za or visiting www.theconcreteinstitute.org.za.