The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), in partnership with the University of Johannesburg, officially launched the Certificate in Construction Management in Bloemfontein on Monday (7/7). The program was launched simultaneously in KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Free State and marked a significant milestone for the South African construction industry.
The Free State launch, held at the Bram Fischer Building in Bloemfontein, brought together government leaders, academics and construction industry stakeholders. Attendees included CIDB Vice President Susan Bouillon, CIDB Director in CEO Ebrahim Moola’s office, representatives from UJ and contractors from across the province.
The Certificate in Construction Management is a short learning program designed to strengthen the capabilities of contractors by bridging the gap between technical construction expertise and business management.
“This program is very important not only for the Free State, but for the entire country and the construction industry,” said Dibolelo Mance, Free State MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure. “This is because it bridges the gap between technical expertise and the management skills required to successfully deliver projects.
“There can be no economic growth without creating opportunity. By equipping contractors with the right skills, we can complete infrastructure projects on time, create jobs and improve services to our communities.
“Government cannot build a stronger construction sector alone. Partnerships with higher education institutions and the private sector are essential as they bring innovation, build capacity and ultimately improve the lives of our people.”
The government should never be solely fixated on cutting new ribbons. “We also need to maintain the infrastructure we already have, because preserving existing assets is just as important as building new ones,” she said.
CIDB Chief Operations Officer Ntombi Nyaga said the Certificate in Construction Management is one of the board’s flagship initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of South Africa’s emerging contractors.
Nyaga explained that the program targets emerging contractors with at least a basic qualification, as well as construction professionals such as site managers and technical staff who want to improve their management capabilities and earn continuous professional development credits.
The course is delivered in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and combines face-to-face learning with practical case studies. Training has already commenced in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, allowing participants to receive hands-on instruction close to where they operate.
“The CIDB hopes that the program will produce contractors who are better equipped to manage projects, tenders, contracts, stakeholder engagement and emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling,” Nyaga said.
Participants receive training in project management, financial management, purchasing and operations, empowering them to grow sustainable businesses while delivering high-quality infrastructure.
The program is aimed at emerging contractors registered in CIDB Classes 2 to 6, construction professionals and aspiring practitioners across the construction value chain.
It is expected to contribute to a more capable, competitive and sustainable construction sector while supporting the Free State’s broader infrastructure development agenda, Mance said.
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