NATIONAL CERTIFICATE: BUILDING AND CIVIL

CONSTRUCTION
ID 65409 LEVEL 3 – CREDITS 140
SAQA:- 14672
LEARNER GUIDE
DESCRIBE THE COMPOSITION, ROLEPLAYERS AND
THE ROLE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN THE
SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY

Learner Information:

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 Details Please Complete this Section
Name & Surname:
Organisation:
Unit/Dept:
Facilitator Name:
Date Started:
Date of Completion:

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otherwise without the prior permission.

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References

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5|Page
Learner Guide Introduction
About the Learner This Learner Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Describe the
Guide… composition, roleplayers and the role of the construction industry in the
South African economy and forms part of a series of Learner Guides that
have been developed for National Certificate: Building and Civil
Construction ID 65409 LEVELS 3 – 140 CREDITS. The series of Learner
Guides are conceptualized in modular’s format and developed for National
Certificate: Building and Civil Construction. They are designed to improve
the skills and knowledge of learners, and thus enabling them to effectively and
efficiently complete specific tasks.

Learners are required to attend training workshops as a group or as specified

by their organization. These workshops are presented in modules, and
conducted by a qualified facilitator.

Purpose A learner achieving this unit standard will be able to apply sound food safety
principles by identifying risk factors in food contamination and applying
preventative measures to ensure product safety.
Learners will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural practices as
applied in the animal-, plant and mixed farming sub fields. This unit standard
focuses on the application of food safety principles in primary agriculture.
They will be able to participate in, undertake and plan farming practices with
knowledge of their environment. This unit standard will instill a culture of
maintenance and care for both the environment as well as towards farming
infrastructure and operations.

Outcomes At the end of this module, you will be able to:

 Describe the role of the construction industry and its impact on the South
African economy

Assessment Criteria The only way to establish whether a learner is competent and has
accomplished the specific outcomes is through an assessment process.
Assessment involves collecting and interpreting evidence about the learner’s
ability to perform a task.
This guide may include assessments in the form of activities, assignments,

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 tasks or projects, as well as workplace practical tasks. Learners are required to
perform tasks on the job to collect enough and appropriate evidence for their
portfolio of evidence, proof signed by their supervisor that the tasks were
performed successfully.
To qualify To qualify and receive credits towards the learning programme, a registered
assessor will conduct an evaluation and assessment of the learner’s portfolio of
evidence and competency
Range of Learning This describes the situation and circumstance in which competence must be
demonstrated and the parameters in which learners operate
Responsibility The responsibility of learning rest with the learner, so:
 Be proactive and ask questions,
 Seek assistance and help from your facilitators, if required.

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 Describe the composition, roleplayers and

1
the role of the construction industry in the
South African economy
Learning Unit

UNIT STANDARD NUMBER: 14672

LEVEL ON THE NQF : 4
CREDITS : 3
FIELD : Physical Planning and Construction
SUB FIELD : Building Construction

Learners who are assessed as competent against this unit standard will be able to
demonstrate a basic understanding of the construction industry, its stakeholders, relevant
PURPOSE: regulations, legislation and skills development initiatives within the industry. The learner will
further be able to identify how these concepts impact on his/her role as an employee within
the industry and how the different elements are to be applied in his/her specific work context
to enhance performance and promote career development.

This competence lays the foundation for the development of core masonry competencies and
underpins the other masonry competencies.

It contributes to the development of a professional community of Masonry practitioners who

understand the challenges and opportunities of the South African construction context. The
contribution to The National Skills Development Strategy is the key developmental interface
between learners and new competencies to be achieved.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE:

FETC NQF Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy competencies.

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 SESSION 1.
Describe the role of the construction industry and its impact on the
South African economy

Learning Outcomes
 The importance of the construction industry in terms of the national economy is explained.
 Current industry trends that impact on the context of the learner are described.
 The different types of construction services are identified and explained.
 The construction needs addressed through the services offered in the context of the learner is explained.

Role of the construction industry and its impact on the South African economy

Construction plays a vital role in South Africa’s economic and social development. It provides the physical
infrastructure and backbone for economic activity. It is also a large-scale provider of employment. The legacy
of Apartheid has, however, left the South African construction industry with a number of development and
transformation challenges. These include:

 Improving effectiveness of public sector spending on physical infrastructure development and maintenance.
 Improving labour absorption, labour relations and job stability.
 Accelerating sustainable transformation through access to opportunity, finance and training.
 Reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS in construction
 Ensuring international competitiveness.

According to the paper, SA's construction industry has recorded double-digit growth since 2004 and is
expected to double over the next seven years as the government rolls out its R416-billion infrastructure
programme.

The bulk of that amount will be spent through electricity utility Eskom, which is building power stations to
increase the country's capacity to meet soaring electricity demand, and through logistics group Transnet, which
aims to revitalise the country's ageing rail infrastructure.

The government will also spend almost R15-billion on preparations for hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the
majority of which (over R5-billion) will go toward building five new stadiums around the country. Some R1.9-
billion will be spent on upgrading five existing stadiums.

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In addition, R3.8-billion has been set aside to improve public transportation and related infrastructure in the
host cities, with the remainder set to go toward providing bulk services to stadiums and other supporting
infrastructure.

Another major project fuelling construction is the R20-billion plus Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, which will
connect Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and the OR Tambo International Airport by high-speed train.

At the launch of the project in September 2006, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa estimated that the
Gautrain would create 93 000 direct, indirect and induced jobs during construction and more than 3 000 once
operation commenced, contributing between 0.7% and 1% to the provincial economy.

The importance of the construction industry in terms of the national economy is explained.
Importance to the Economy
The Construction Industry plays a significant role in South Africa’s economic growth. The average growth rate
for the Construction Sector increased from 1.3% in 1994 to 12.0% in 1998. The contribution of the
construction sector in employment creation accounted for 8.9.%. The informal sector participation is extremely
significant since it provides housing and other infrastructure facilities to the 80% of the population which lives
in the rural areas. Between 1999 and 2000 the growth of the construction sector averaged 8.5% while its
contribution to GDP averaged 4.6%. The average contribution to total capital formation during the period 1988
to 1997 was 57%. In terms of government expenditure, an average of 14% of the development budget was
spent on construction projects for the period 1988 to 1997 compared to an average of 30% for the period 1976
to 1985.
The construction industry is essential to the development of cities, communities, residences and industry,
although it is also one of the most dangerous occupations. The economy relies on construction activities for
progress and growth. Without construction, the plans of engineers and architects would never come to fruition.

Current industry trends that impact on the context of the learner are described.
The Consilience Energy Advisory Group always strives to be one step ahead of regulatory decisions and
industry innovation.
Energy markets are becoming more global and more interconnected. Advances in technology are improving
transparency and transforming the way that all markets operate, with the result that sophisticated forms of
contract and innovative trading strategies are becoming increasingly common. As a result prices for all kinds of
energy are increasingly based on, or indexed to, volatile spot market prices. Life-of-field contracts with fixed
terms are being replaced by more sophisticated and flexible contractual arrangements that encompass the use of
derivatives. There is an ongoing revolution in the range and sophistication of risk management techniques now
available to companies and their management. The challenge for users is to know which ones work for them
and which are inappropriate for their company.

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Benchmark energy price indices are evolving with some being phased out and new ones being introduced. The
physical and financial barriers that once separated the oil, natural gas and power markets are gradually
disappearing. The rise of emissions trading is just one of the factors linking the various energy markets. There
are new and increasingly complex arbitrage opportunities for traders amongst and within these markets and
unexpected pitfalls for energy producers and consumers. The next level of complexity envisaged will be the
inclusion of freight within the scope of emissions trading. Best practice today can only be rooted in an
understanding of these different markets and how they interact.

Trends in the construction industry

The study identified 24 trends in the construction industry, where a trend is defined as the change in the
characteristics of a phenomenon over time. The information gained from the thought-leadership interviews was
analysed in the same manner as for the case of the drivers to determine the relative importance of the trends as
seen by the thought-leaders. The ranking of the trends from this analysis is shown in Figure 7.

CURRENT REALITIES FACING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

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During the desk-top study, various realities influencing the construction industry were identified from local and
international publications. These included drivers such as world-wide ageing of infrastructure, fluctuating
economies, emphasis on environmental impact and an inherent low level of innovation in the construction
industry. These are discussed below.
State of infrastructure
There is concern about the ageing state of infrastructure all over the world. The Urban Land Institute in the
USA states that:
"The United States, in particular, and most of Europe stumble to repair and retool aging roads, plants, and
levees that may no longer serve a changing paradigm for how people will live and work in the future." (ULI
2007).
In 2006 the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) assessed the state of infrastructure in South
Africa and developed an infrastructure report card (SAICE 2006). SAICE reported that, although the South
African government had embarked on a programme of increased infrastructure spending, there is still a failure
to invest in the maintenance and renewal of infrastructure. According to SAICE, most of the infrastructure in
South Africa is in a fair, poor or very poor state.
Industry contribution
The built environment and construction industry play a significant role in sustainable growth and development.
The built environment constitutes more than half of gross fixed capital investment in most countries, and
construction output, as a global average, represents as much as 10% of global gross national product. Of the
estimated US$ 3 000 billion annual global output of the industry, developing countries contribute 23%, while
accounting for 75% of total global employment of construction workers (CICA 2002).
The different types of construction services
In general, there are three types of construction: building, heavy/highway, and industrial. Each type of
construction requires a unique team to plan, design, construct, and maintain the project.
Building construction

Building construction for several apartment blocks. The blue material is insulation cladding, which will be
covered later.
Building construction is the process of adding structure to real property. The vast majority of building
construction projects is small renovations, such as addition of a room, or renovation of a bathroom. Often, the
owner of the property acts as labourer, paymaster, and design team for the entire project. However, all building
construction projects include some elements in common - design, financial, and legal considerations. Many
projects of varying sizes reach undesirable end results, such as structural collapse, cost overruns, and/or
litigatios reason; those with experience in the field make detailed plans and maintain careful oversight during
the project to ensure a positive outcome.

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Building construction is procured privately or publicly utilizing various delivery methodologies, including hard
bid, negotiated price, traditional, management contracting, construction management-at-risk, design & build
and design-build bridging.
The Main systems of Procurement are:-
Procurement describes the merging of activities undertaken by the client to obtain a building. There are many
different methods of construction procurement, however the three main types are: -
1 – Traditional 2 – Design and Build 3 – Management Contracting
Traditional
Heavy/Highway construction
Heavy/Highway construction is the process of adding infrastructure to our built environment. Owners of these
projects are usually government agencies, either at the national or local level. As in building construction,
heavy/highway construction has design, financial, and legal considerations, however these projects are not
usually undertaken for-profit, but to service the public interest. However, heavy/highway construction projects
are also undertaken by large private corporations, including, among others, the golf courses, harbors, power
companies, railroads, and mines, who undertake the construction of access roads, dams, railroads, general site
grading, and massive earthwork projects. As in building construction, the owner will assemble a team to create
an overall plan to ensure that the goals of the project are met.
Authority having jurisdiction
In construction, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) is the governmental agency or subagency which
regulates the construction process. In most cases, this is the municipality in which the building is located.
However, construction performed for supra-municipal authorities are usually regulated directly by the owning
authority, which becomes the AHJ.
During the planning of a building, the zoning and planning boards of the AHJ will review the overall
compliance of the proposed building with the municipal General Plan and zoning regulations. Once the
proposed building has been approved, detailed civil, architectural, and structural plans must be submitted to the
municipal building department (and sometimes the public works department) to determine compliance with the
building code and sometimes for fit with existing infrastructure. Often, the municipal fire department will
review the plans for compliance with fire-safety ordinances and regulations.

Before the foundation can be dug, contractors are typically required to notify utility companies, either directly
or through a company such as Dig Safe to ensure that underground utility lines can be marked. This lessens the
likelihood of damage to the existing electrical, water, sewage, phone, and cable facilities, which could cause
outages and potentially hazardous situations. During the construction of a building, the municipal building
inspector inspects the building periodically to ensure that the construction adheres to the approved plans and the
local building code. Once construction is complete and a final inspection has been passed, an occupancy permit
may be issued.

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An operating building must remain in compliance with the fire code. The fire code is enforced by the local fire
department.
Any changes made to a building including its use, expansion, its structural integrity, and fire protection items,
require acceptance by the AHJ. Anything affecting basic safety functions, no matter how small they may
appear, may require the owner to apply for a building permit, to ensure proper review of the contemplated
changes against the building code.
Industrial construction
Industrial construction, though a relatively small part of the entire construction industry, is a very important
component. Owners of these projects are usually large, for-profit, industrial corporations. These corporations
can be found in such industries as medicine, petroleum, chemical, power generation, manufacturing, etc.
Processes in these industries require highly specialized expertise in planning, design, and construction. As in
building and heavy/highway construction, this type of construction requires a team of individuals to ensure a
successful project.
When one visits the city, it is a common site to see tall and huge buildings. Cities that have these building often
pose an image of development and success. These buildings are constructed with major concern in the
environmental factors and safety. They are built to soar high and withstand the treat of hurricanes and other
natural disaster. It is through construction that these buildings, houses, highways and walls are built. The
process of construction is somehow geared towards development and success. Let us now dig deep into the
types of construction projects that help individuals and the economy of the world.
The first type of construction is involved with the creation of new building and addition of a portion of a
building to a house. This is called the building construction. It is basically concern with residential or non-
residential buildings. Residential buildings are buildings occupied with tenants while non-residential buildings
are owned by companies. Such constructions include design, financial and legal considerations. Building of
residential units must always be in line with the local building authority regulations and codes of practice. Such
housing designs are usually done by architects and engineers and are executed by builders who hire
subcontractors who specialized with the work. Today, this type of construction has attracted builders for its
highly competitive rewards.
Compared to building construction, industrial construction may not be that huge. However, this type of
construction gives way to buildings which are used in the productions of materials, goods and services. Since
the dawn of civilizations, it has been a part of mankind. Businessmen and corporations usually own such
building projects. The process in the construction requires expertise in planning, design and construction.
Industrial construction is important especially in the development of the economy and the business scene.
Without proper and efficient transportation, a lot of products and services will not be properly delivered and
processed. This is why highways and civil engineering construction projects are important; it helps people
travel from home to school or work. Through this constructions projects, goods are transported from one place
to another as well as government services reach people even in the farthest places. Highway and civil engineer
projects are usually owned by the government. Such projects are generally not for profit but for public interest.
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But some projects like the golf courses, power companies and mines are still undertaken by large and private
companies.
Lastly, the construction which deals with the building of infrastructures not under the building or the highway
is called the heavy construction. Heavy construction projects involve projects like, dams, water treatment and
flood control projects. Heavy equipments are designed to execute such construction projects. Like the highway
construction project, it is also mainly done by government and private companies.
There are a lot of construction projects that aid man in his living. These projects are the result of major man’s
need and also with the advancement in technology. Such projects are done mainly to help us lie a well and
healthy life hand in hand with the world’s development.

The construction needs addressed through the services offered in the context of the learner

SESSION 2.
Identify and describe the roles of stakeholders in the construction
industry

Learning Outcomes
 Industry stakeholders are identified and their roles described.
 The impact of these industry stakeholders in the context of the learner is described from the learner's
perspective.
 The roles and responsibilities of the learner within the relevant context are identified.
 The organizational structure within the learner's context is identified.

Roles of stakeholders in the construction industry

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The construction industry impacts all towns, cities, provinces and states. Although issues may vary from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction, similar stakeholders are involved throughout the construction process in varying
places. Stakeholder relationship management in the construction industry involves understanding the role of
each stakeholder and how different entities can work together on behalf of industry and their clients.
Contractors
 The contractors are essentially project managers. They direct the building process from initial planning to
final approval. A contractor may have its own staff, consisting of skilled trades people, or it may hire sub-
contractors. Contractors supervise the project timeline, manage the budget and work with other
stakeholders, such as regulatory bodies, to ensure the completed building meets all code requirements.
Clients
 Clients are the eventual owners of the building and typical funding agent of the project. However, some
real estate developers fund the development of buildings and then sell them; they may only hold the title of
owner while the project is under development. The client in a real estate project ranges from a young
family building its first home to major real estate and commercial builders developing malls, office towers
and condos. Clients direct the style, content and overall look and feel of the building in conjunction with
the budget, timeline and available resources.
Government

 Government and industry are other stakeholders. Varying levels of government are stakeholders in
construction. Local government approves permits and gives the okay for new developments. State and
federal government bodies set standards for fire, safety and other residential and commercial building
codes.
Unions
 Unionized labor may also play a role in construction projects. Some skilled trades' contractors and sub-
contracted employees may be unionized workers; the contractor will work in consultation with the union
and ensure project human resources are managed in accordance with the policies and processes of the
union.
Industry stakeholders are identified and their roles described.
Key Stakeholders
Employees – We initiate dialogue with our employees and seek their input in our day-to-day activities. In
addition, we offer numerous opportunities for employees to provide their thoughts on the company, including
opinion surveys, town hall meetings and one-on-one employee development discussions. We routinely conduct
an employee opinion survey, which typically yields a high employee participation rate. The information
gathered through such surveys helps management address issues that are important to employees, including
safety, environmental preservation, and employee compensation and retention.
Shareholders – We communicate financial and operating performance with our shareholders through company
reports and Securities and Exchange Commission filings, annual shareholders meetings, quarterly earnings

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releases and conference calls, and presentations to securities analysts. Further, we make Internet links to these
events and other information available on our Web site. Our annual proxy statement provides a full listing of
formal requests filed by shareholders, and we maintain a process for shareholders and interested parties
to communicate with the board of directors. We also engage with investors on a range of sustainable
development topics through ongoing dialogue, meetings, conferences and discussion forums.

Governments – We engage with local, state or provincial, and federal governments in the key areas of public
policy and regulatory oversight that affect existing and future company operations and business. In certain
circumstances, we work with governing bodies and regulatory agencies and engage in proactive exchanges of
information. Major areas of interest for government stakeholders are taxation, environmental and economic
issues.
ConocoPhillips endorses the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which seeks to ensure that revenues
paid to governments by companies working in resource-rich countries contribute to sustainable development
and poverty reduction. Read further information on our economic transparency statement.
Communities – Wherever we operate, our major projects and business units engage with local communities in
a variety of ways, including consultations on specific projects, public forums or community investments. The
company has various organized groups and programs that engage the community to discuss issues and
concerns. Although specific areas of interest for communities can vary widely, recurring themes include the
availability of employment and other economic opportunities, local environmental issues such as air and water
impacts, emergency response procedures, and the company’s contribution to local social investment.

Customers, suppliers and contractors – The most common avenue for communicating with these
stakeholders is our secure extranet site, where business partners can access financial information, interactive
processes and fuel-purchasing procedures.
Stakeholder Intervention
Regular consultation and engagements, regional
Organised Construction Employer Bodies committees and national sub committees, internet, mail
and electronic newsletters
Regular consultation and engagements, regional
Construction Material Manufacturers committees and national sub committees, internet, mail
and electronic newsletters
Regular consultation and engagements participation at
Built Environment Professionals stakeholder sub committees, internet bulletin,
distribute CETA newsletter
Regular consultation and engagements participation at
Organised Labour
stakeholder sub committees
SMME Construction Contractors Road shows, media, provincial stakeholder forums
Establish a forum and ensure one-on-one regional
Government Departments and Public Entities
engagements, through H.O.D and MINMEC forums
involved in Contractor Skills and Training
and other relevant forums

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The impact of these industry stakeholders in the context of the learner is described from the learner's
perspective.

Stakeholder groups vary both in terms of their interest in the business activities and also their power to
influence business decisions. Here is a useful summary:

Stakeholder Main Interests Power and influence

Shareholders Profit growth, Share price growth,Election of directors
dividends
Banks & otherInterest and principal to be repaid,Can enforce loan covenants
Lenders maintain credit rating Can withdraw banking facilities
Directors andSalary ,share options, job satisfaction,Make decisions, have detailed information
managers status
Employees Salaries & wages, job security, jobStaff turnover, industrial action, service
satisfaction & motivation quality
Suppliers Long term contracts, prompt payment,Pricing, quality, product availability
growth of purchasing
Customers Reliable quality, value for money, productRevenue / repeat business
availability, customer service Word of mouth recommendation
Community Environment, local jobs, local impact Indirect via local planning and opinion
leaders
Government Operate legally, tax receipts, jobs Regulation, subsidies, taxation, planning

The roles and responsibilities of the learner within the relevant context
In this activity, learners select and match up the roles and responsibilities of design and development personnel
in Construction and the built environment. They then use video and cards to review a range of responsibilities
for each member of the team and their contribution to sustainable development.
Make the learners aware that they are developing their personal and learning skills as well as gaining new
knowledge. This helps them to become more ‘expert’ learners.

The organizational structure within the learner's context

The Learner Construction Organizational Structure
Leading from the role that the delivery of courseware plays in it's creation, it is also important to go further and
recognize the ironic reality of the role of students in the growth of courseware. The motivational and work
patterns associated with courseware development that are a problem for faculty because of limited time, skills
and tenure success, become the major strength when turned around to learner construction. In cases where
materials were constructed by students within the context of a course, or outside the context of the course, but

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within the bounds of the team, it was clearly both beneficial for the students to be involved and learn from the
experience, while it was good for the project.

SESSION 3.
Develop an understanding of the impact of legislation, regulations and
codes of practice

Learning Outcomes
 Current legislation and codes of practice applicable to the construction industry are identified in terms of
their purpose as well as how they relate to the learner's context.
 The structure, location, funding and support services of official bodies are explained.

Current legislation and codes of practice applicable to the construction industry

The construction sector believes that positive and proactive response through the
implementation of a Construction Code of Good Practice would address inequalities in the sector, unlock the
sector's potential and enhance its growth.
Many accidents in the construction industry are due to bad planning, lack of organization and poor co-
ordination on construction sites.
To obtain and maintain health and safety standards on site, it is important to note that:
1. A health and safety approach is to be taken right from the start, namely at the design stage;
2. Appointments of duty-holders (e.g. project supervisors and contractors) mentioned above, must be made as
early as possible;
3. In order to facilitate other duty-holders to discharge their duties effectively, it is important that any relevant
and significant information concerning health and safety is provided to all who need it. This information must
as much as possible also be provided in good time and well in advance, such as a pre-tender health and safety
plan to tendering contractors;
4. The time allowed for the work, including planning and preparation, must be realistic and reasonable;
5. Duties cannot be avoided by passing them on to someone else who shares the same responsibility;
6. The amount of resources and the level of effort (such as time, trouble and money) exerted to protect health
and safety must be commensurate and proportional to the risks involved. Thus the higher the risk and the more
difficult it is to manage such risks, the more resources and effort could be needed to counteract such risks
associated with the project.
In this Code of Practice, unless the context otherwise requires:
 “The Act” means the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Act.

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 “The Authority” means the Occupational Health and Safety Authority established by article 8 of the Act.
 “building or civil engineering works” has the same meaning as that of Schedule II of L.N. 281 of 2004
 “Client” means any natural or legal person for whom a project is carried out.
 “competent person” means a person who by reason of training, experience or professional qualification is
 competent to perform the task or function, or assume the responsibility in question;
 “construction site” means any construction site at which “building or civil engineering works” are carried
out, a
 non-exhaustive list of which is given in Schedule I of L.N. 281 of 2004
 “construction project” means any construction project at which “building or civil engineering works” are to
be
 Carried out, including design, preparation and planning.
 “contractor and sub-contractor” means a contractor or employer whose workers undertake, carry out or
 Manage construction work, and who supplies materials and, or labour to carry out such work.
 “designer” means any person that makes a design or assign any person under his responsibility, including
 Employees, to prepare designs related to a structure or part of a structure.
 “duty-holders” means all persons who have a duty, responsibility, role or task in construction projects,
including
 Clients, designers, engineers, architects, project supervisors, contractors, sub-contractors, self-employed
persons and employees.
 “Hazard” means anything which may cause harm to persons or damage to property. This could include a
condition, situation, thing, occurrence or practice.
 “Main contractor” - is usually the leading contractor who undertakes and carries out the main construction
work. If
 Clients manage their own construction work and are competent for the project in hand they may appoint
themselves.
 “Project” means any development which includes or is intended to include “building or civil engineering
works”.
 “Project supervisor” means any natural or legal person responsible for the design and / or execution and / or
Supervision of the execution of a project, appointed by the client.
 “Self-employed person” means any person, other than a person in the employment, traineeship or
apprenticeship of a contractor, whose professional activity contributes to the completion of a project.
What is a code of practice?
A code of practice is defined in the Act as a document prepared for the purpose of providing:
 practical advice on preventative strategies; and

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  a practical means of achieving any code, standard, rule, provision or specification relating to
occupational safety and health in Western South Africa.
A code of practice may contain explanatory information. The preventative strategies outlined do not represent
the only acceptable means of achieving a certain standard.
A code of practice does not have the same legal force as a regulation and is not sufficient reason, of itself, for
prosecution under the Act.
The codes of practice are developed by the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health.
Codes of practice:
 should be followed, unless there is another solution which achieves the same or better result; and
 can be used to support prosecution for non-compliance.

The structure, location, funding and support services of official bodies

SESSION 4.
Identify and describe education, training and development initiatives
and opportunities

Learning Outcomes
 Skills development support structures, initiatives and projects within the construction industry are
identified.
 Relevant industry qualifications, learnerships and career opportunities are identified.
 An action plan for career and self-development within the construction industry is developed by the
learner.

Identify and describe education, training and development initiatives and opportunities
This module is divided into the following sections:
The first section looks at the context in which training occurs and asks you to identify the key trends that are
influencing training in the public service. These trends are international, national and local and impact on
economic, political, organisational and educational sectors.

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The next section focuses on education and training trends and the current strong influence of competency or
outcomes-based education and training and the various systems by which such an approach is supported and
regulated. These systems and mechanisms include the use of internationally comparable standards that
describe or specify education or training achievements or competencies, the use of qualifications frameworks to
regulate and make clear the various levels of qualifications and the routes by which learners may gain
qualifications.
Section three looks at the need for training managers to align their organisation with such qualification
frameworks and identify appropriate qualifications that their training should offer.
Section four looks at current thought about adult learning and adult learners and how practice and the
appropriate use of learning objectives/outcomes can help learning.
The fifth section shows how our understanding of the adult learning influences the basic principles of training
and the design of training courses.
Key trends that are influencing training
All training in the public service now takes place in the context of massive changes in the global economy
(from which no country is exempt). These changes have radically changed neither the way businesses operate
throughout the world and neither governments generally, nor the public service specifically, are exempt from
these influences.
What are some of the key changes? We have seen an unprecedented globalisation of the world economy and
the integration and deregulation of worldwide markets. Governments have had to become more responsive to
market trends and usually there has been strong pressure for less government regulation and subsidisation.
However, in developing countries this trend is being challenged by a perspective in which provision is made for
strong and appropriate state capacity in order to ensure the interests of the polity as a whole, rather than those
of private sector companies and individuals only.
Steps towards reducing skills shortages
Typical steps that can be taken to enhance the skills of people in the labour market
include:
 assisting in the placement of new entrants in the labour market through apprenticeships (learnerships) and
internships;
 facilitating the recruitment of skilled foreign workers in areas of critical skills shortages, while ensuring the
concurrent development of nationals in those fields;
 providing career guidance and counselling to school leavers to assist them to pursue further studies in fields
that are relevant to the needs of the economy and its various economic sectors;
 fast tracking the implementation of the human resource development strategies in all government
departments;
 generally raising the educational level of the population through greater support of the education and
training system (including adult education).

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Skills development support structures, initiatives and projects within the construction industry
The South African Education system has put in place various support structures & services in the District and
Circuit Teams of the Education Department. Their role is to provide support to Educators and schools with the
ultimate goal of meeting the full range of learners’ needs.
Unfortunately in many education districts these teams are not adequately supporting the schools or the
educators. Educators receive conflicting and confusing messages regarding curriculum and assessment
standards which frustrate their ability to manage the diversity in their classrooms. Education officials
themselves have varied understanding and perspectives towards inclusive education which further exacerbates
the situation. Educators remain unfamiliar with and inexperienced in utilizing the strategies that have been
developed by the Department of Education to
support the implementation of Inclusive education such as screening, identification, assessment & support
(SIAS). SIAS is seen as an additional administrative burden and not a useful tool.
When investigating the effectiveness of the development model, several key questions arise. These are dealt
with as sub-problems to the main problem. The areas set out below warrant detailed research in order to solve
the main problem.
Sub problem 1: What is needed to structure an integrated emerging contractor development model (IECDM)
that will satisfy the developmental needs of emerging contractors?
Sub problem 2: What quality and assurance mechanisms need to be created to enhance the elements of the
development model in order to, inter alia, satisfy the objectives of the model?
Sub problem 3: What analysis and evaluation of the qualitative and quantitative results, needed to assist with
the design of the development model?
Sub problem 4: Are project management processes a prerequisite for the successful management of the
IECDM?
CETA is moving towards a project based approach when it comes to future activities. By adopting such an
approach when implementing and managing various business actions, CETAaims to ensure that effective and
efficient control measures are not only put into place but adhered to in all processes (this
includes Learnerships and Skills Programmes).
CETA will be focusing on the following Strategic programmes that will assist the Authority in achieving the
strategic goals and objectives that support both legislation and NSDS targets:
The construction sector is particularly important in employment creation for several reasons, including that:
 The construction side of the sector accounted for 220 000 jobs in 2003 and studies suggest that directed
labour-intensive methods can substantially increase employment;
 Construction of housing and infrastructure (both civil works and public facilities) forms an important
element of the national development strategy which could lead to a significant increase in employment;
 By transferring assets effectively to poor households and communities, a basis for more equitable and
sustainable growth can be established.

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Relevant industry qualifications, learnerships and career opportunities
Unlike many other industries, construction is not hide-bound by qualifications, indeed qualifications are rarely
essential for a specific position, with relevant experience much more important.
That said, a significant number of construction professionals do have academic qualifications which provide
valuable training to launch their careers. Academic qualifications relevant to construction are available at
nearly all universities and include courses such as:
 Architecture
 Building Services
 Building Studies
 Electrical Engineering
 Engineering
 Mechanical Engineering
 Project Management for Construction
 Urban Planning Design and Management
Professional qualifications
There are relatively few professional construction qualifications. More important are industry memberships,
which are discussed below. However, available professional qualifications include the following:
Construction Skills
Previously known as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Construction Skills is working to fulfil
the skills and productivity needs of the UK through the construction industry's Sector Skills Agreement. The
construction industry's SSA, negotiated by Construction Skills, is a series of agreements between training
providers, employers and Government, designed to address the construction industry's current and future skills
needs.
Industry memberships

Industry memberships are of importance in the construction and related industries, especially given the fact that
memberships have a direct impact on insurance cover – both liability and general insurance. Memberships are
offered by a number of industry bodies, including:

 Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

 Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
 Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
 Institute of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
 Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE)
 Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
 Association of Cost Engineers (ACostE)

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 Institute of Electrical Technicians (IET)
 Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
 Architects Registration Board (ARB)
 Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
 Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
 Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
 National House Building Council (NHBC)
 Home Builders Federation (HBF)
There are many professional qualifications that you can study for, to help you move one step further in your
career. Professional qualifications can be studies for on a part-time basis whilst you are working and some
companies will sponsor you to work towards these. For example, ACCA for Accountants and CIPD for Human
Resource Staff. You can contact the professional bodies for further information on these qualifications. The
following list of sites contains some professional bodies categorized by Industry sector so you easily find the
site that is relevant to you and there are also a number of sites where you can find out further information and
news in your chosen Industry.

Specialist Industry Qualifications are well-respected industry qualifications that many professionals use to
enable them to practice at high levels in certain careers. Some people you may join a Specialist Industry
Qualification once they already have a degree, because they want to specialize in a particular area or increase
their practitioner skills. Some people may join a Specialist Industry Qualifications at a lower level as a
mechanism to up-skill whilst avoiding the higher prices charged for degrees. Whatever your motivations we
have a huge range of Specialist Industry Qualifications available to you and are one of the largest providers of
these qualifications in the North West.
An action plan for career and self-development within the construction industry is developed by the
learner.
A career action plan can help you develop a stronger, clearer vision for your professional future. With this plan,
you can take practical steps toward seeing that vision become a reality. You do not have to already have a
certain level of success to make a career action plan. In fact, this type of career planning can help you with
everything from making a career change to discovering what you want to do in the first place.
A systematic identification of a goal, skills/strengths and barriers to success are required before a
Career Action Plan can be implemented. The more specific the plan, the more effective the plan will be in
supporting the achievement of the career goal. It is important that the client and CES/CBO staff work together
to build the Career Action Plan.
A Career Action Plan outlines and tracks the steps (milestones) an individual will need to take to obtain his/her
career goal. The individual has ownership over their Career Action Plan. Plans should be realistic, active and

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stated in a positive language.
Career Goal Statement:
 This section is used to identify what the individual is working toward over the long term.
 The career goal is driven by the individual and must be realistic, specific and meaningful.
 An ideal career goal aligns with the individual’s skills, competencies, values, and interests in order to
support lasting employment, good productivity and engagement in the workplace.
 The career goal offers a sense of purpose, direction and meaning to the individual. Steps forward should be
consistent with movement toward this career goal.
 The career goal must be clear and concise.
 The stated goal belongs to the individual.
 Over time, the counselor can help the individual to develop a more specific, realistic or achievable career
goal through a process of increased awareness and analysis.
 It is important for the goal statement to be updated to remain current.
 In some cases the career goal is undecided and the goal becomes a series of steps to aid in the development
of a career goal.
Examples:
a) To secure full time employment as a labourer in the construction industry.
b) To obtain a nursing degree and work full time as a nurse.
c) To work around airplanes.
The construction industry is a major source of employment and provides a wide variety of career opportunities.
Good career opportunities exist for those who have an interest in the design and management of construction
works, and also for those who wish to develop and use practical skills in erecting the work on site.

SESSION 5.
Describe the impact of environmental awareness on construction
practice

Learning Outcomes
 The learner is able to explain the possible impact of the construction industry on the environment.
 The role of the learner in sustaining environmental awareness within his/her work context is identified
and discussed.

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Impact of environmental awareness on construction practice

The learner is able to explain the possible impact of the construction industry on the environment.

The role of the learner in sustaining environmental awareness within his/her work context is identified
and discussed.

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