An innovative training programme has been implemented at the R4-billion Green Point Stadium Project in Cape Town in an attempt to alleviate the acute shortage of construction-related skills in the Western Cape.

In an interview with Engineering News Murray and Roberts/WBHO Joint Venture (JV) Contracts Manager Mike Lewis explains that the implementation of this training programme was necessitated by the fact that the Western Cape had a severe shortage of essential skills required for this project.

"This skills shortage has resulted from relatively low construction activity over the past decade," explains Lewis.

"This curtailed the demand for skilled labour in the region, resulting in the loss of essential skills over the last few years."
Lewis continues that the shortage of skills in the province was so severe that the JV was compelled to import approximately 100 skilled workers, including shutter hands and steel fixers, from the Eastern Cape and Gauteng.

In addition to the alleviation of the skills shortage, this training programme was driven by the philosophy that a workforce with the necessary skills and qualifications delivers higher quality work more productively.
As a result, the JV budgeted R6-million for the implementation of a two-year training programme that focused on the improvement of specific skills.

Green Point Stadium JV Training Manager Antoinette du Toit elaborates that all the training revolves around the assessment of individuals with skills that have worked in the industry for several years.

"In other words, individuals are tested and assessed on their existing skills and knowledge and are certified according to their competencies in their related field," says Du Toit.

According to Du Toit the benefit of this National Qualification Framework (NQF) based assessment and training programme is that it turns employees' existing skills and experience into a nationally recognised qualification as qualified registered assessors, Tjeka, are used for this process.

The assessment process has also been designed for individuals who experience problems with reading, writing or even English.
"Apart from the trades programme the JV has also set up a site specific training where simulations are done for the different elements on-site, including a pylon, raking beam, deck and lift shaft," continues Du Toit.

Through this initiative, new employees have the opportunity to undergo training before going to site, whilst already operating teams are simultaneously undergoing the training to improve quality, efficiency, safety and teamwork.

In addition, 15 supervisors and 30 engineers are undergoing training initiatives in order to improve the efficiency of the supervisory staff, explains Du Toit.

The whole training process is carried out whilst the workforce is on site, so that they do not have to be released to attend training at distant centres.

Du Toit explains that the focus of this training in on process, quality and safety procedures and that the programme has been designed by engineers and site-specialists.

Since the implementation of this programme, "productivity has certainly improved amongst the employees, especially in relation to specific skills such as shutter hands," says Lewis.

In addition to cost-efficiency and productivity, Lewis states that the JV will have met all of its skills requirements for the completion of the stadium project and will not be hampered by this challenge for the remainder of the project.

While the training programme is ongoing, Du Toit states scaffolders, bricklayers, plumbers and electricians will also complete the training course by the end of the year.

By the end of this project, it is anticipated that more than 600 people and 100 supervisory staff will have undergone skills assessments and training through this programme.

Caption:
SKILLS IN TRAINING
Workers undergo on-site training on mock facilities at the Green Point Stadium Project