The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, officially launched the Certificate in Construction Management in Bloemfontein on Monday (7/7). The programme was simultaneously launched in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State, marking a significant milestone for South Africa’s construction industry.

The Free State launch, held at the Bram Fischer Building in Bloemfontein, brought together government leaders, academia and construction industry stakeholders. Among those in attendance were CIDB deputy chairperson Susan Bouillon, CIDB director in the office of the CEO Ebrahim Moola, representatives from UJ and contractors from across the province.

The Certificate in Construction Management is a short learning programme designed to strengthen contractor capability by bridging the gap between technical construction expertise and business management.

“This programme is very important not only for the Free State, but for the entire country and the construction industry,” said Free State MEC of public works and infrastructure Dibolelo Mance. “This is because it bridges the gap between technical expertise and the management skills needed to successfully deliver projects.

“There can be no economic growth without creating opportunities. By equipping contractors with the right skills, we can complete infrastructure projects on time, create jobs and improve service delivery for our communities.

“Government cannot build a stronger construction industry alone. Partnerships with institutions of higher learning and the private sector are essential because they bring innovation, build capacity and ultimately improve the lives of our people.”

The government must never be fixated only on cutting new ribbons. “We must also maintain the infrastructure we already have because preserving existing assets is just as important as building new ones,” she said.

Participants will receive training in project management, financial management, procurement and business operations, equipping them to grow sustainable businesses while delivering quality infrastructure.

The programme is aimed at emerging contractors registered in CIDB Grades 2 to 6, construction professionals and aspiring practitioners across the construction value chain.

The programme is expected to contribute to a more capable, competitive and sustainable construction industry while supporting the Free State’s broader infrastructure development agenda, said Mance.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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