A well-designed structure is normally considered to be one which meets the requirements of serviceability and durability over and above possessing adequate strength and stability in the most economically efficient manner. Engineers have traditionally used their skills and expertise to ensure that structures are designed in this manner.

In recent years, however, the term ‘value for money’ has in South Africa been broadened to take cognisance of socio-economic and political benefits. Government has realised that there is a cost to unemployment and poverty and that there is a price to be paid for the economic empowerment of marginalised communities. Accordingly, value for money is now assessed in a revised context.

There are definite relationships between employment opportunities, available skills, entrepreneurship and the use of small, medium and micro enterprises in the creation and maintenance of assets. Construction strategies can be adopted to address social and economic needs and concerns and, depending upon how they are structured, to facilitate the economic empowerment of marginalised sectors in a focussed manner. The process of constructing assets can thus be just as important as the provision of the assets themselves.

Projects involving the creation of assets can also promote sustainable community development should they be structured so as to:

• Create employment opportunities;
• Promote community involvement;
• Impart technical skills to the unskilled and semi-skilled members of the community;
• Transfer administrative, commercial and managerial skills to the community;
• Retain, as far as is possible, the funds expended on the project within the community; and
• Develop contractors from within the community in which they are to be constructed.

 Projects that address these objectives allow the resources of the community to be built up in an endogenous manner, i.e., to be grown from within.

All of the above presupposes that appropriate labour-based methods and technologies are readily available to those engaged in construction works as designers and constructors.

These skills however need to be developed and training programmes are available to assist in this regard.

Pre-planning a Labour Intensive Construction (LIC) contract includes the establishment of LIC procedures and systems, supervisory information systems, and the development of an appropriate and resourced time schedule (barchart) programme.
Project-specific systems are those incorporated in the project specifications, such as specific measurement and recording proformas. 

Training on Labour Intensive Construction Systems and Techniques will thus include the following:

Understanding of Labour Intensive Construction documentation:

• The philosophy of Labour Intensive Construction. 
• LIC contract documents in relation to LIC principles. 
• LIC project documents and project-specific systems. 
• The role and participation of local communities.
• The concept and implementation of integrated environmental management. 

Implementation of Labour Intensive Construction Systems:

• LIC activities for a project according to LIC principles. 
• LIC pre-planning prior to commencement of works, according to LIC procedures. 
• Site establishment incorporating the LIC principles. 
• Task norms for LIC project activities. 
• LIC setting out and survey techniques. 
• Measurement and recording of completed work tasks according to LIC methods. 

Implementation of resource management techniques for Labour Intensive Construction projects:

• Labour requirements for LIC activities must be estimated accurately. 
• Labour selection, recruitment, and induction according to LIC procedures
• Individual and group tasks must be allocated, measured, and recorded according to LIC procedures. 
• Appropriate plant, equipment and tools must be selected and utilised according to LIC principles and activity requirements. 
• Material resources are identified and procured timeously according to the requirements of the programme. 

Training, coaching and development of team members in LIC methods:

• Task workers should have the appropriate skills & tools to perform their jobs competently. 
• On-job training and coaching in LIC methods should be provided to team members. 
• Developmental needs and career aspirations of team members must be communicated to immediate manager. 

Implementation of LIC administrative systems:

• Records are kept in accordance with LIC site procedures and quality management systems. 
• Personnel administration is implemented in accordance with LIC site requirements.

For training on Labour Intensive Construction Systems and Techniques write to training@masterbuilders.co.za or call 031 831 3238.

Victor Smith | Training Manager