Midlands Regional Round Up - August 2010

Looking at the current state of Sharks Rugby and the construction sector in the Midlands, parallels are easily drawn. While the Sharks have shown a tremendous improvement in performance, construction projects in the region also appear to be picking up nicely. Though the Sharks are currently showing some excellent form, there still exists a feeling of uncertainty as to whether there is enough in reserve to get us all the way to the end. The average contractor also has consistency concerns, in their case regarding continued flow of work going out to tender. Whilst things are looking up, contractors generally don’t seem confident that there will be enough work around to take them through to the end of the year.

Training in the Midlands continues with exciting news relating to our first bricklaying course scheduled to take place in early September. This will enable members to up-skill semi-skilled to unskilled workers which will increase staff efficiency and productivity. The long term benefit for the learners is that it will give them a springboard from which to work towards achieving a bricklaying qualification.

The planning and arranging of our first apprenticeship program continues behind the scenes and we hope to be able to make an announcement in the not too distant future. This will enable members to take on young school leavers who desire to be a part of the industry and provide work experience for them over a 3 year period, encouraging them towards completing a trade test. This cost implication to members will be considerably less than employing somebody full-time, and training them up themselves.

October will see the coming of the Midlands Golf Challenge at the Victoria Country Club, so start dusting off the clubs and book your place at the driving range because this year will again have excellent prizes to be won. If you start now, you may have a chance of beating 2008 Winners Phezulu Projects, as you can be sure, they have been swinging their clubs around on the Golf Course for a while already.

Gareth Roberts | Midlands Regional Manager