Construction World June 2017

Addressing South Africa’s skills deficit

Franki is renowned for its geotechnical solutions using an array of different piles including driven tube piles, precast piles, auger piles, full displacement screwpiles, rotapiles, micropiles, the famous Frankipile (driven cast-in-situ pile) and many more. It is also well-known for its soil improvement systems including dynamic compaction, deep soil mixing, accelerated consolidation and of course Jet Grouting as discussed above. Franki’s skills in trenchless technology are just as strong and for more than 30 years it has successfully provided pipe- jacking and other trenchless technologies – augering, thrust boring and large diameter case boring – to a wide range of clients in Southern Africa. Trenchless technology is a ‘family’ of methods, materials, and equipment capable of being used for the installation, replacement or rehabilitation of existing underground infrastructure with minimal disruption to surface traffic, business, and other activities. It is, therefore, often the most cost-effective solution. Pipejacking, an integral part of this ‘family’, is a technique for installing underground pipelines, ducts and culverts. Powerful hydraulic jacks are used to push specially designed pipes through the ground behind a shield at the same time as excavation is taking place within the shield. The method provides a flexible, structural, watertight, finished pipeline as the tunnel is excavated. By being part of the Keller Group, Franki’s leadership in the Geotechnical space in Southern Africa has been significantly enhanced. Keller is the world’s largest independent geotechnical engineering contractor, giving Franki significant advantages including access to a wide range of innovative technologies - including trenchless technologies – and in the areas of finance for future growth, new state-of the-art machinery and, of course, a wealth of geotechnical intellectual property and experience.

Despite this, South Africa still struggles from a skills deficit with current estimates suggesting that less than half of school starters will go on to complete Matric. To address this shortfall proactive businesses are implementing adult education programmes to bridge the skills gap from within. One company that is setting the benchmark for employee development is Kwikspace Modular Buildings (Kwikspace). As part of their adult learning programme, Kwikspace offers employees who have not completed their basic education the opportunity to enrol in an Adult Education and Training (AET) Programme which provides training from National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level one to level four, which is the equivalent of a grade 4 to 10 level of schooling. Comments Cynthia Kubheka, human resource executive at Kwikspace: “Through our staff training programmes, we endeavour to provide our employees with the tools they need to reach their full potential. We have been blessed with a workforce that is eager to learn and this year we are proud to have 34 employees enrolled in our adult learning programme.” However, completing one’s basic education is hardly the end of the road and the recent spate of university protests have brought the economic barriers to obtaining a higher education sharply into focus. Therefore, Kwikspace employees who have achieved a NQF level four or passed Matric are eligible to further supplement their education by taking part in a series of learnerships including project management, business administration and business management. Adds Kubheka: “There is a high level of poverty amoung young people in South Africa, making it difficult for some to pursue secondary or tertiary education or training. Kwikspace’s extended adult learning programme is an attempt to remove some of the barriers to obtaining a higher education and provide real opportunities for transformation. Despite high levels of unemployment in the country, employers still often struggle to fill jobs. According to the 2016 Manpower South Africa Talent Shortage Survey, 34% of local employers are having difficulty filling jobs, citing lack of experience, lack of hard skills and a lack of available applicants as some of the reasons. This has led to local employers, such as Kwikspace, looking for solutions within their organisations and 86% claim to be training and developing existing employees in order to fill open positions. Concludes Kubheka: “The benefit of developing employees is The South African bill of rights states that, “Everyone has the right to a basic education, including an adult basic education.” Education is essential for the transformation of South Africa’s society, providing individuals with the knowledge required to bring about social, economic and political change.

Jet grouting rig installing raker columns beneath N1.

two-fold. Not only do you have a more skilled workforce but also a more engaged workforce, motivated by the prospect of upliftment and opportunities for success.” 

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JUNE 2017