Trained youths lost to trade
After being trained in building construction, youths are lost to the trade because they can't get practical experience on worksites
IT’S a pity that after receiving basic training in the civil construction field, young learners are not given the opportunity to improve their skills at worksites.
That’s the view of Bheki Dlamini, a highly experienced artisan who now heads an accredited construction training company.
His Bhekwell Group has provided training for large corporates such as RBM, Department of Works and Exxaro (now Tronox).
He is presently teaching and mentoring 36 rural learners who were nominated by the community in an area near eShowe where a large pipeline is under construction.
Sponsored by Esorfranki Pipelines, they are contracted to the uThungulu District Municipality.
All of the learners were previously unemployed and 27 are females.
They receive an allowance of R30 per day and are transported from Kwahlokohloko into Richards Bay daily.
They are being skilled in bricklaying (12), steel fixing (12) and 12 concrete workers, along the way also being given some basic first aid, safety and scaffolding knowledge.
‘We have a repetitive sequence: explain, demonstrate, practice, coach and assess,’ says Bheki.
‘The focus is on quality, making sure all the vertical and horizontal planes are level, the cement is properly mixed and so forth.
‘I keep reminding them they are not doing this to get a job, but to empower themselves; you can lose a job, but not your skills.’
At the end of their 35 days of training they will receive a certificate of competency.
‘They can then work in any construction environment – if they get the opportunity. And that’s where the problem lies,’ says Bheki.
‘While I can confidently recommend these learners, especially some of the women who have amazing talent, construction companies are reluctant to take them on.
‘Contractors want workers to be productive from day one. They don’t have the time to baby sit them.
‘Obviously they are nowhere near the work speed required on site, where they would need to lay about 500 bricks a day – but how do they get that work experience?
‘And again, they finish the course, but don’t own any tools.’
Bheki believes government is doing a lot to help, but the private sector needs to play its part.
‘Imagine everyone with a skill they can use to uplift themselves and also to benefit their communities, and which they can pass on to others. It’s a dream, but one that is not beyond reach.’
