Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) says the consulting engineering industry is still working in silos too often, which the same industry often chastises government for doing.

CEO Chris Campbell says that organisations including Cesa, the Engineering Council of South Africa, the South African Institution of Civil Engineering, the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Black Business Council in the Built Environment and the South African Black Technical and Allied Careers Organisation, are working in a disintegrated manner.

He adds that, although it has been a year since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, not much progress has has been made, despite industry bodies having offered their assistance to government.

Campbell urges industry bodies to "first join their own hands before raising them".

He posits that a united engineering industry will be more conducive to the provision of equal opportunities, skills development, mentorship, industry transformation, talent retention and sustainability of the profession.

“One way of achieving this is through a collaborative forum such as the South African Forum for Engineering. It was established some years ago in response to this need for wider collaboration and communication.

"It became dormant, but perhaps the time has come to revitalise it – or something similar – especially as we aim to unite in support of South Africa’s economic recovery plan.”

He notes that a united industry might also be more appealing to young people, if there is just one association they need to join in order to enjoy the benefits offered by many.

“Under one banner, we are capable of providing innovative solutions in support of the national agenda and help deliver the infrastructure our citizens deserve – cost effectively and honestly,” Campbell concludes.