The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) and the Project Management Institute (PMI) have come together to offer construction-specific learning and development to those registered under the SACPCMP.

The partnership will boost the international currency of South African construction professionals, the two entities note.

“This is the first time ever that a regulator has collaborated with the PMI to create an opportunity for its industry professionals to improve the global currency of their registration,” says SACPCMP registrar Butcher Matutle.

He adds that the collaboration between the two entities will open the door for international recognition for SACPCMP registered persons, who will benefit from undertaking learning and development that is not only construction focused, but also recognised internationally.

PMI earlier this year launched a suite of online courses and micro-credentials to address the unique challenges faced by construction professionals. The courses are aimed at improving project management skills in the construction industry and lead to PMI-CP (Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects) certification.

“[Every year], wasteful expenditure in the construction sector globally amounts to $1.6-trillion,” says PMI sub-Saharan Africa MD George Asamani.

PMI’s research on project management professionals working in the construction industry found that 70% of construction projects experience scope creep and a further 73% of such projects ended over budget.

“These courses are designed to help construction professionals improve margins in the industry often plagued by cost overruns and project delays and is PMI’s first industry-specific solution designed for construction professionals.”

The collaboration between the two entities supports the mandate of the SACPCMP, which continually looks to support learning and continuing professional development in the construction sector.

It also opens an avenue for those registered under the council to engage in globally recognised learning that could grow their international appeal as professionals.

“We are excited by the multi-level benefits offered through this collaboration,” adds Matutle.

“SACPCMP professionals will be able to access this courseware at a preferential rate and continue to develop themselves in line with international best practices, while maintaining their registration requirements.”

SACPCMP applicants, who need to develop their knowledge base to meet professional registration requirements, will have the opportunity to do so through the collaboration.

“Applicants can now select specific courses or modules that will address pinpoint-areas they may need to develop.  The long-term benefit of this will not only result in a fully competent construction industry, but also the development of additional career pathways for the built environment,” Matutle explains. 

PMI-CP comprises seven courses, three of which offer micro-credentials. Each course explores a specific area of construction project management. The certification was developed in collaboration with construction industry leaders and consultations with project managers who face the twin challenges of balancing technology and talent.