AvenirHoldings, a proudly South African engineering and infrastructure consulting firm, in collaboration with the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), has launched a targeted candidacy programme aimed at accelerating the professional registration of women in the built environment with the Built Environment Professional Councils.

The initiative comes at a critical time for South Africa’s engineering sector, where women remain significantly underrepresented. Currently, only 16% of registered engineering professionals are women, compared to 84% men. This imbalance reflects a systemic challenge within the sector that requires deliberate, structured intervention to ensure meaningful transformation and inclusive participation in infrastructure development.

Supported by a discretionary grant from TETA, the programme is designed specifically for employed women professionals seeking professional registration. It offers structured, outcomes-driven mentorship aligned to statutory registration bodies, exposure to complex multidisciplinary infrastructure projects, and tailored technical development support for working professionals. The initiative forms part of AvenirHoldings Academy, which focuses on continuous training, mentoring, and learnership programmes for young engineers and built environment professionals.

“AvenirHoldings is intentional about developing women who will lead infrastructure delivery and transformation in South Africa,” says Tshidi Mndzebele, award-winning engineer and CEO of AvenirHoldings. “This programme is not just about registration; it is about correcting historical imbalances and unlocking the full potential of women in the sector.”

The recruitment drive supports women pursuing registration with professional bodies, including the Engineering Council of South Africa, SACPCMP, and the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession.

AvenirHoldings was recently recognised at the Built Environment Recognition Awards, receiving four awards for its excellence in mentorship and skills development, and for enabling professional registration in the industry.