Pretoria: The Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) hosted 140 learners and educators at a construction industry breakfast exposition held at the Reserve Bank as their leg of the National Construction Week – an industry wide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Public Works to heighten awareness and understanding of the industry, especially to the South African black youth. The cidb supported this initiative through an Exposition themed “construction…my No. 1 career choice”. The exposition aimed to expose and present different career options within the construction industry through presentations by young construction industry professionals supported by exhibitions mounted by institutions of higher learning to the young delegates. The invited learners in grade 11, mostly from Township high schools around the Tshwane region including Garankuwa, Mabopane, Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Laudium and some Pretoria city schools were identified and invited based on the learner’s individual performance in the Mathematics and Science subjects which are a basic requirement toward different qualifications in construction.

The message that was driven by the cidb through this Construction Industry Youth Exposition is that the construction industry offers fulfilling, rewarding and diverse career opportunities - the message that was reinforced by young, black successful industry professionals who shared information on their different experiences within the industry and are making a visible impact on the South African construction arena. The exposition also illustrated to the delegates the current status of industry skills shortage experienced in our country which automatically necessitate youngsters to consider this industry as “…a no.1 career option”.

The shortage of skill and low percentage of participation by black youth in the construction industry has become a well known fact- as emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Public Works Mr. Kganyago who also presented a motivational message to the invited delegates. He said that the skills shortage needs to be addressed head on. One way to achieve this is for youngsters to come on board and participate zealously in the industry and therefore in the national economy.

The Witwatersrand School of Construction Economics & Management, Pretoria University, Tshwane University of Technology all supported this initiative through an exhibition that provided the learners with guidance on requirements and qualifications attainable from the respective learning institutions. The exposition also addressed the common false perception of the construction industry being all about blue “overalls” and brick-laying. The learners gained a deeper understanding of professions like civil engineering, architecture, project management and quantity surveying to mention a few. Some of the invited learners gained more than just exposure and understanding of the industry but also won themselves personal computers –donated by cidb.

The CEO of cidb Mr. Ronnie Khoza said that it has been a special day and that the learners must view themselves as the chosen few, new possibilities have been exposed to them, it is up to them to choose their route to success. Reiterating the Deputy Ministers words of wisdom Khoza emphasized to the learners that “…one will not be successful in any career they choose without commitment, interest and discipline”.

The cidb is committed to construction industry development, stimulating sustainable growth, and improvement of the construction sector for effective delivery and the industry’s enhanced role in the country’s economy. Based on this commitment the cidb will continue to pursue similar initiatives, especially with impact targeted on previously disadvantaged communities.

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Prepared by the Construction Industry Development Board
For more information Contact: Kea Modise
012 482 7244, 078 459 7840, e.mail keam@cidb.org.za