Times Of Swaziland: CIC IMPLEMENTS CONTRACTOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

CIC IMPLEMENTS CONTRACTOR DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
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Mhlengi Magongo on 28/06/2022 07:15:00


MATSAPHA - The Contractor Development Strategy (CDS) is the most important
aspect of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
It is important because it aims to develop skills and promote business
sustainability for emerging contractors in the construction industry.
“Delivering on quality infrastructure, within cost and time, is an expectation
for project owners who invest significant amounts of money into projects.”
This was mentioned by Maqhawe Mnisi the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of
the Construction Industry Council (CIC) of Eswatini.
Capacity
Mnisi said CIC is implementing CDS which would be their blueprint in driving
training and capacity building initiatives for the construction industry.
“Rolling out of the CDS this current financial year provides us with an
opportunity to accelerate implementation of initiatives that are the heartbeat
of the industry”, he said. The CEO also mentioned that they have increased
funding and intake of participants towards industry training and capacity
building initiatives.
Mnisi said the aim is to deliver quality infrastructure for projects while
contractors and consultants require the necessary skills to be able to deliver
on construction projects. He said the upskilling of industry stakeholders in
financial and business management is one of the key interventions that would
have a positive impact in ensuring that construction businesses not only grow
over time but also become sustainable. “We have thus partnered with the
University of Eswatini (UNESWA) to ensure we address some of the skills gap we
have identified as a priority for building capacity,” he said. Mnisi further
encouraged participants to apply the skills they have gained to ensure industry
businesses operate effectively and efficiently.
Management
UNESWA Vice Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala said financial and business
management is key to a successful business as well as its credibility to the
market and industry. “With the current challenges in the economic front, such
short course are critical tool to maintain and sustain the running of
construction projects in the midst of competition and ensures that the
construction industry adheres and complies to national laws”, he said. Thwala
also mentioned that UNESWA signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CIC
back in 2019 and held the first cohort of CIC managers on project management and
contract management.
“Today we are witnessing further benefits of the partnership agreement that is
yielding fruits through skills and knowledge transfer,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor added that UNESWA’s commitment to the partnership would
continue to be effective and timely in delivering programmes that CIC may demand
as per the MoU.