TIME ENGINEERS GET INVITED TO THE TABLE; TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION

According to Master Builders SA, 506 construction companies went into liquidation between 2014 and 2018. Furthermore, based on STATS SA data, it is estimated that in 2019 98 construction companies will go under. On top of this, construction companies battle to get paid for completed work – which does not help the situation.

Shocking for a developing country, is the loss of many major civil engineering and construction companies, which could have had a marked contribution towards service delivery infrastructure if only government had rolled out the much needed projects!

The construction industry lost 24,000 jobs in the third quarter of 2019, contributing to the latest 29.1% unemployment – the highest in 11 years!

The above is a huge factor why engineering graduates from universities and universities of technology cannot find gainful (or even working for free) experiential work. It is also the reason why there are hundreds of two-thirds qualified engineering technicians who cannot obtain the National Diploma to even apply for a job! For university graduates not employed, this is pushing their ability to become a professionally registered engineer way into the future – an untenable situation for a developing country. South Africa cannot afford such waste!

In the meantime, universities and universities of technology are churning out hundreds of these unfortunate groups every year – with no possibility of being employed in the near future!

These are the reasons why the Presidency should call a Tshivhidzo for top professionally registered engineering practitioners, as well as winners of awards, with the intention of implementing their recommendations on infrastructure planning/development, feasibility phases, implementation/construction, and operation and maintenance. Minister Tito Mboweni’s infrastructure “Team” will have to attend as well, because, as far as is known, the engineering fraternity had not been involved in the process of setting up such a team.

Only then WILL South Africa start working!

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Article compiled by ChangingThings South Africa. ChangingThingsSA is a platform advocating an engineering-led approach to service delivery and public infrastructure creation. Calling on Engineers to Make a Difference in African’s Lives. Moreover, It is calling the government of South Africa to embrace the engineering profession; to empower engineers to convert the human rights entrenched in Chapter 2 – sections 7 to 39 – of the 1996 Constitution into quality infrastructure projects outcomes, jobs and economic growth. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Reuters