The Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s contractors mentorship programme has been boosted with the announcement that it has been chosen by Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) for the sector’s training pilot who is to funding the first group of 60 contractors to the tune of R4,65 million.

The group, who will join the programme in 2005, will swell the number of contractors under the mentoring scheme to 175. Currently 105 are piloting the 10-month old mentoring programme which forms part of the ECDC finance contract with contractors whom they have financed.

The CETA-funded programme targets contractors who have the ability to manage contracts up to R5 million and whom the corporation believes will benefit from an extended programme. It addresses individual developmental areas in addition to training in areas such as administration, resource management, marketing and tendering.

“The provision of mentorship services is a resourceful way to empower emerging contractors,” says CETA CEO Themba Dlamini who also mentions that this programme will assist established companies in the building environment as a scorecard in measuring transformation.

“Our successful mentoring element is fundamental to why CETA chose ECDC’s programme for its pilot. Furthermore, we have developed significant capacity in managing the programme,” says ECDC CEO Mcebesi Jonas who also noted that the ECDC programme is only one of three programmes available nationwide in this sector and is the only programme to include mentoring.

Dlamini says “ECDC’s contribution towards the national and local economy is positive, especially in the light of the 2010 World soccer bid and the Expanded Public Works Programme which will require qualified and competent supervisors to oversee the development of infrastructure.”

“CETA’s support is of huge significance and means that thousands of contractors will benefit from the exploratory work done by ECDC. Once again, it is testament to the quality of our people and the huge emphasis we have placed in our business on empowering entrepreneurs,” says Jonas.

The extended development programme, which costs in the region of R85 000 per candidate per annum, was developed in consultation with the CSIR and the Free State University. Training will take place at four centres – Umtata, East London, Queenstown and Port Elizabeth.

Up to 40 mentors will join the programme which functions within existing frameworks and initiatives. The criteria are stringent. Mentors must be industry professionals such as quantity surveyors, engineers and contracts managers with about 10 years of wide-ranging experience. Further assessments include a three-hour examination together with a psychometric test and psychological evaluation. Other skills such as the ability to transfer skills are also evaluated. Only after successfully completing this process, will mentors be accredited by the University of the Free State. The first group of mentors have just completed their assessment. Also completed is the three-day training programme which is now in place.

Mentors will coach up to eight contractors or projects totalling R20 million, whichever is the greater. The number is also dependent on the skills level of each contractor. Currently ECDC has 24 mentors mentoring 105 contractors.

ECDC project leader Spencer Lazarus who has spearheaded the programme believes that two challenges face the programme. The first is to create better understanding of the role and responsibilities of the contractor and mentor. The second is to create further buy-in from other stakeholders such as contracting clients.

Despite these hurdles, feedback from contractors and mentors remains positive. “This programme is very welcome and is long overdue,” says Patrick Rwexu, quantity surveyor from Umtata.

East London quantity surveyor Mike Rooney adds that “we have seen, over a short period, how contractors have benefited from better prices through our involvement. In addition, the project’s financial investment is also being further protected.”

Contractors who wish to be considered for the programme have until Friday, 12 November to apply. Applications will be accepted at ECDC offices in Umtata, East London, Port Elizabeth and Queenstown.

The ECDC programme is the first provincial programme to be funded by training authority. CETA has also seconded a resource to the programme’s project team which comprises CSIR, University of the Free State, ECDC and leading mentoring consultants Noyana Management Consulting.