Civil Engineering March 2022 | Vol 30 No 2

Civil Engineering March 2022 7 CEO’ S CORNER I have chosen to leave SAICE at the end of March to take on another role in the civil engineering sector. This deci- sion was not taken lightly and was made with the comfort of knowing that we have strong, motivated teams in the various SAICE structures that are engaging with you, our members, to enhance your ca- reers and your value proposition to your employers and civil society. In addition, it helped to know that we have a formidable team at National Office that is aligned with SAICE’s growth trajectory. Together we have progressed the growth of the SAICE business across several fronts that have made the institu- tion stronger, despite the pandemic and flat economic growth. We have developed a SAICE strategy that is currently in execution. This strategy consists of various initiatives led by capable volunteers and National Office staff, and we have used a business score- card approach to design and measure the progress of the agreed initiatives. The strategy resides with the Membership Committee who will oversee its execution and ensure it remains rel- evant. Volunteers from our branches, di- visions and National Office departments are leading the various initiatives that will cascade into division and branch-specific activities to ensure alignment. I urge you to volunteer to support our industry in the implementation of the strategy as there is much work to be done. Below I highlight some of SAICE’s main initiatives and what you can expect in 2022 and 2023. DIGITISATION DRIVE We have almost completed phase 1 of our digitisa- tion project which will be launched in March or April 2022 and provide members with an improved user experience unlike anything in the past. The next phases of the digitisation project that will follow will further enhance your experience in all your dealings with SAICE and create additional, easily accessible engagement opportunities. It has always been my goal to em- brace the adoption and exploitation of technology generally, and I encourage all members to do the same. TRAINING INITIATIVES We launched the SAICE Academy in 2020 and are in the process of developing content to assist in managing your careers as you progress post professional registration. We anticipate that the SAICE Academy will become your home to grow all the technical, business and leadership capabilities necessary to adapt and remain relevant in our ever-changing world of work, and we have the support of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) for the concept. In addition to the SAICE Academy, we are building a platform to give opportuni- ties to our younger members who may not have meaningful employment and have a reduced chance of finding employment due to not being professionally registered. With the support of ECSA, we have developed the concept of simulated training. It is currently at feasibility stage and requires funding to work effectively. However, infrastructure clients have already come on board to provide the projects, project data and technical leader- ship that will guide graduates towards completing designs of existing infrastruc- ture. The designs will be assessed and the graduate will be required to write up the experience and have it reviewed by tech- nical leads in line with ECSA requirements. We still need contractors to come on board to assist with the construction and management experience components required to meet the remaining outcomes related to site work. This process will help graduates to learn and register with ECSA while they look for employment. BUILDING BRIDGES A focus of mine has been building relationships with industry leaders in con- sultancy, construction, voluntary organi- sations, councils within the built environ- ment, academia, infrastructure agencies, government and stakeholder groups such as Construction Alliance South Africa. In doing so I found that SAICE could better perform its functions by having quality relationships that foster support and help align the industry to a common agenda of growing a developmental state while enhancing business between the public and private sectors. I have always aimed to ensure that we work as a collective to get the system of infrastructure delivery to work again. It is anticipated that, should we succeed, we will address unemployment in our in- dustry while delivering the infrastructure that society so desperately needs. I trust that I will be leaving SAICE in a better place than when I joined as CEO two years ago. The Institution is poised to grow its value proposition to members as it continues to deliver on the agreed strategy. I would like to thank you, the mem- bers, for believing in and supporting me in my short tenure at SAICE, as well as the volunteers (branches and divisions) that have come to lead many initiatives, National Office staff for their care and responsiveness in dealing with queries, and the SAICE Executive Board and Council for their leadership. I bid you farewell in my current ca- pacity, but will continue to work towards our common agenda in my new role. Vishaal Lutchman SAICE CEO vishaal@saice.org.za Farewell and thank you to my dear SAICE members