Construction workers from Mitchell’s Plain, Manenberg, Khayelitsha, Belhar, Vredenburg, and Knysna were schooled on health and safety standards in the workplace at a week-long workshop which took place at Portland Indoor Centre from Monday February 18 until Friday February 22.
The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) Contractor Development Programme (CDP) provided free skills training and mentoring to emerging construction contractors in the province.
Byron la Hoe, spokesman for the department, said building contractors had a legal responsibility to ensure that their construction sites met all applicable health and safety standards.
“The need for health and safety training was identified by contractors who attended DTPW’s two-day construction information sessions, and participants in Department’s five-week municipality-based CDP training programme,” he said
The department said they then contracted Tjeka, by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) – an accredited training service provider, to run a health and safety course for emerging contractors.
Mr La Hoe said the training course was accredited in terms of South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) Unit Standard 15 136.
Contractors, who successfully complete the course, received a certificate of completion from Tjeka and a competence certificate, from CETA.
Community worker Mogamat Noor Arendse, from Eastridge, said similar courses should be rolled out to the youth.
“This would educate and uplift the youth. Take them off the streets away from gangsterism, drugs and prostitution,” he said.
Facilitator Priscilla Ncokazi, said the course was to regulate existing and emerging contractors to ensure best practice.
