The Eastern Cape public works department has set aside R11-million to improve the capacity of emerging contractors.

Public works spokesman Madoda Dyonana said the department had started a three-year contractor capacity-building programme to empower 120 entrants each year on aspects such as business management skills.

“The department has trained 110 contractors, mostly in the Grade 1 and 2 categories, across the province to ensure they are empowered with the necessary knowledge relating to procurement and tendering processes,” Dyonana said.

So far, the department had spent R1-million on the programme.

The training lasts three months and entrants must be registered as suppliers.

Dyonana said further training programmes had been arranged to help the contractors improve their administrative capacity.

“We have identified several challenges facing the emerging players, such as lack of financial management, access to finance and access to continuity and work opportunities, as some of the critical areas require priority intervention.”