Calling retired engineers

The Department of Public Works is calling all retired and qualified engineers with experience in the field of engineering, construction or the built environment to submit their CVs to the department. The aim is to create a database of engineers and artisans who can help the department to train unqualified engineers and artisans to relieve the shortage of skilled artisans in South Africa.

Skilled artisans

The Department of Higher Education has indicated that 70 000 artisans will have to be trained within the next five years.

By doing this, government can deliver on its infrastructures promises, as well as job creation and skills development targets.

Workshops

The department has re-opened its workshops that have been out of operation. The workshops employed skilled people and helped government to deliver certain services. The closure of the workshops meant unemployment for many of these people. It also meant a loss of skills that are necessary to the development of the country.

Now that the departmental workshops are back in operation, apprentices will be trained to become qualified artisans.

Construction projects

Owing to the scarcity of artisan skills, government currently outsources most of the country's construction projects to large multinational and international corporations. If government can train more qualified engineers and artisans locally, it can use local people for such projects.

Qualified engineers and artisans who would like to be put on the database are urged to submit their CVs at the nearest regional office of the Department of Public Works or call the toll free number: 0800 782 542.