Civil Engineering October 2021 | Vol 29 No 9

40 October 2021 Civil Engineering U nder normal circumstances, Mikateko Ruth Matshebele and Mpho Thulare would never share a classroom. Matshebele is a 37-year-old civil engineering graduate who dreams of running her own com- pany. Thulare is a 24-year-old unem- ployed construction graduate trying to gain vital experience. But for two weeks, the two will share a makeshift classroom on South Africa’s first-ever course for bakkie builders, learning the art of bricklaying. The short course is a venture launched by cement manufacturer PPC to upskill South Africa’s scores of informal builders. “Unemployment, and especially youth unemployment, is a huge challenge and it is vital that companies like us do our bit to bridge the skills mismatch which is undermining South Africa’s development and help reduce unemployment levels,” says Njombo Lekula, PPC’s Southern African Managing Director. “South Africa is losing valuable skills to other countries, while young people are choosing not to study construction. It is therefore important that we ensure these skills are not lost, or a once highly sought-after construction country is not going to have skills and we will have to import the skills, at great cost, to build our own country.” COURSES AVAILABLE The courses on offer – which will be available across the country – include bricklaying, plastering and construction management. They incorporate both theory and practical instruction and PPC foots the bill. Attendees can either apply to attend or can be nominated by a retailer or supplier. Participants also receive a financial incen- tive to help them buy the construction tools they require after the course. PPC has partnered with training service provider and private FET college Motheo Academy, who will provide the instruction. Over 200 bakkie builders from across South Africa will be provided with the opportunity to attend the courses over the next 8 months. All attendees who successfully complete the NQF level 3 (bricklaying and plastering) and 4 (construc- tion management) programme will receive South African Qualifications Authority certificates. PPC launches skills training for bakkie builders Learning the art of bricklaying YOU SEE AN INDUSTRY BEING TRANSFORMED WE SEE WHAT WENT INTO THAT www.ppc.africa I 0800 236 368 PPC CETA ACCREDITED TRAINING COURSES Putting eager minds in touch with the training that can change their lives and transform an industry is a passion at PPC. That’s why we are training the next generation of bricklayers and plasterers to fill an urgent industry need, and it’s why we say: Together We’re Stronger - BRICKLAYING - PLASTERING - CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SHORT SKILLS PROGRAMME 129 years EXPERIENCE 130 hours CLASSROOM TRAINING 80 HOURS ONSITE TRAINING