Construction Industry News and Views Edition 198 01 November 2021
Dear Members and Readers
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal prides itself on addressing skills development in the construction sector. The Bursary Programme has been offered since 2015 to those pursuing studies in Built Environment disciplines. Bursary applications for the 2022 academic year are now open. Interested parties may contact the Association prior to the closing date of 7 January 2022.
The Vuka Makhi Programme has been revised to comprise of three different components in order to support our members with enhancing workplace skills. The Candidacy and professional registration component aims to support graduates on their route to professional registration. Short Skills interventions will be addressed and the recognition of employee skills through formal assessment will be undertaken through the Skills Card component. Members are invited to take advantage of this great opportunity.
The Association is continuously surveying risk exposures in the industry in order that these can be mitigated in the course of our lobbying and advocacy function. The management of ergonomic risks has led to an increased bouquet of membership services. In addition, the OHS Consulting unit has been expanded to include consultation on paid ergonomics services.
The Association is pleased to announce the launch of its Business Support Consultancy, which is designed to primarily focus on matters related to B-BBEE, workplace skills plan and employment equity. The full details of the Consultancy are included in this edition of the newsletter and members are urged to contact the Association for a quote to assist you with your employment equity online reporting and other requirements.
Members are reminded that the Association will be hosting free Contractual and Legal workshops on the JBCC suite of contracts for members. The workshops are tailored specifically for main contractors or sub-contractors.
Learn more about the Promotion of Access to Information Act in our PAIA article and take advantage of our Spring Training Promotion with the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Training Academy. November is the last month to redeem this promotion, so don’t miss out!
Members are encouraged to remain committed to strict implementation of COVID-19 workplace protocols.
Stay safe!
Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal proudly announces the launch of the revised Vuka Makhi Programme
The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Vuka Makhi Programme has been offered since 2015 and was initially focused on grooming learners from education to employment in the construction sector and has produced 100 post-matric learners. Twenty learners are currently writing their final 2021 matric examination and this will increase the figure to 120. The Association has since revised the Programme with a more targeted approach on enhancing construction skills.
Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal adds Ergonomic Services to its bouquet of health and safety services
The management of ergonomics in the South African construction industry is legislated through the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and its regulations; namely the Construction Regulations of 2014 and the Ergonomics Regulations of 2019. Despite these legislative imperatives, the implementation of ergonomics in the South African construction industry is limited.
A key objective for Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is to promote and lead economic transformation in the construction industry and beyond by promoting compliance with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), Workplace Skills Plans (WSP) and Employment Equity (EE) legislation. These three pieces of legislation strive to create an equitable and skilled workforce and contribute to an inclusive economy.
Section 32 of the Constitution states that “Everyone has a right of access to any information held by the state and any information held by another person that is required for the exercise or protection of any rights.” The Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 2 of 2000 (PAIA) was enacted to give effect to the constitutional right of access to information and governs how one would access such information.
Adjudication is a dispute resolution process created by contract in many modern standard form construction contracts. A common feature of adjudication clauses is that an adjudicator’s decision is binding on the parties, albeit not final, unless neither party gives a notice of dissatisfaction in relation to the decision within a stipulated time limit. Adjudication was born out of the necessity in a construction contract setting to have a means of resolving disputes speedily without the expeditious execution of the contract being unduly retarded.
An employee’s personnel file contains various documents pertaining to their employment history with the organisation. Personnel files and records contain confidential information which must be stored in a restricted and secure place such as a locked filing cabinet that is fire-proof. Maintaining personnel files and ensuring it is always updated is crucial.
Spring Training Promotion - Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Training Academy
Don't miss out on this incredible offer! Book your seat now and obtain CPD points. Members qualify for 1 free course admission for every delegate booked on the same course. Non-members get a 10% discount when booking any of the courses on promotion.
The training programmes are intended to provide access to currently employed candidates, unemployed candidates and school leavers, as well as to facilitate workplace training.
Members who have current contracts that make provision for Contract Price Adjustment are able to download the latest published indices from Statistics South Africa by clicking on the following link.
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