CPUT-Corobrik Construction Week provides practical learning opportunities

Ismail Rothman, Corobrik Building training coordinator shows CPUT learners how to lay paving.

During this educational programme, some 80 landscape technology students participate in specialised construction lectures, workshops and demonstrations, finishing off with a hands-on landscaping project.

Students were treated to a series of lectures on paving techniques, all facilitated by Corobrik representatives.

Corobrik’s training co-ordinator, Ismail Rothman, compiled lectures while Corobrik’s architectural representatives, Werner Oelofse and Siyanda Mapekula, assisted with organising and lecturing.

Focus was placed on both hard and soft landscape construction which included paving and hard landscape surface treatments such as ornamental gravel, tree and groundcover planting and tree staking. Students had the opportunity to learn about technical construction which incorporated material and plant specifications, construction detailing, drawings and documentation.

Clay pavers

Corobrik donated 3,500 units of Meadow Paver PB as well as 3,600 units of 50mm Constantia Paver PB for the paving practical.

“In addition to helping develop students through this hands-on training experience, we want this project to also benefit the rest of the CPUT students while enhancing the urban environment of the university with our natural clay pavers,” explained Christie van Niekerk, Corobrik manager for the Western Cape.

To this end, a very particular site was chosen for the paving project. OLYMUA is a student non-profit organisation based at CPUT which established a successful vegetable-growing pilot project in the courtyard of the Matthew Goniwe 2 residence on the Bellville campus. The aims of OLYMUA include promoting healthy diet while alleviating students’ financial constraints by growing healthy, organic vegetables for its students.

In an effort to contribute to this initiative, students were tasked with designing and installing the hard landscaping framework, including paths and raised planter beds, for the vegetable garden. Initially the students worked a full week on site followed by a successive five Monday afternoons until completion.

Interaction with experts

“Corobrik is so pleased to be a part of this fantastic initiative,” continued Van Niekerk. “There is such a need for continued skills and developmental training, even among professionals. Construction Week allows for interaction with experts in the field as well as skills training between students in different years.

“The end result really goes to show that a lot has been gained during the week and students will be able to enjoy this space for years to come.”

Commenting on the successful partnership, Gerhard Griesel, lecturer from CPUT’s Landscape Technology programme said it is a privilege for CPUT to be in partnership with Corobrik. "This intervention has provided students with exciting and unique practical learning opportunities. Ultimately the initiative has far-reaching effects as students are empowered in terms of skills for future work environments as well as contributing to the community.”