Investing in local construction skills training contributes to growth, quality

“An investment in the training and development of unemployed people in these communities goes a long way towards improving their quality of life over the long term, while simultaneously contributing towards the growth and quality of the construction industry,” says Databuild CEO Morag Evans.

Tackling critical skills shortages

She cites the inspirational successes achieved by Databuild partner Arc Skills which is making significant inroads in tackling the critical skills shortages in the construction industry through its bespoke training and specialist skills development solutions.

The company recently partnered with real estate investor Actis to offer training to 300 young people selected from different community-based organisations in the informal settlement around the Garden City Mall in Nairobi, Kenya. Of the 130 students who completed the training, 46% succeeded in securing employment after graduation.

Simunye Trading Construction

Back on home soil, in a project sponsored by the Motheo Construction Group, Arc Skills trained 60 unemployed youth at three training sites in Gauteng. Following completion of the training, 13 of the learners used their newly acquired skills in bricklaying, plastering, painting, glazing and carpentry to start their own business together, establishing Simunye Trading Construction.

Arc Skills closely mentored the partners in their entrepreneurial journey, providing them with business coaching and support, as well as marketing and branding assistance. It wasn’t long before the startup company was awarded its first contract by Mokgolokwane Civils to build 20 low-cost houses valued at R1,960,000.

Soon afterwards, the company was contracted by its original sponsor, Motheo, to build low-cost houses on its behalf.

“At the start of their journey with Arc Skills, these young people, all of whom are under the age of 35, had no previous construction experience,” says Arc SKills divisional manager Louwrens De Bruyn. “Today, Simunye Trading Construction is making a meaningful impact in their respective communities by helping to create numerous job opportunities for other unemployed youth.”

Timeous engagement

“Key to the success of any community upliftment training programme is the establishment of a mutually beneficial relationship between the project owners and local community stakeholders impacted by their projects,” De Bruyn continues.

“Our experience has shown that this is best achieved through proactive and transparent engagement with all the relevant role players, where the benefits of an investment in an internationally accredited training programme are clearly defined.

“By generating goodwill in the community from the outset, project delays and shutdowns caused by groups making unreasonable employment demands are far less likely to occur.”

Evans urges more players in the construction industry to invest in programmes such as those offered by Arc Skills. “No one can argue that enabling developers and contractors to complete their projects successfully while changing lives for the better plays a critical role in helping to alleviate South Africa’s unemployment crisis. Who wouldn’t want to invest in a win-win solution for all parties?”