Construction World September 2021

READYMIX

CONCRETE CAREERS EXPERIENCE INSPIRED STUDENTS

T he two University of KZN students, who benefited from Cement & Concrete SA’s KZN branch’s “Careers in Concrete” initiative, say the practical work opportunities CCSA created at concrete-related enterprises in Durban have stimulated their interest in their future careers even further. The two final-year BSc Civil Engineering students, Kayleen Pillay, and Siyabonga Maduna, spent part of their recent mid-year vacation gaining hands-on experience at CCSA member companies, Contest, and Naidu Consulting. Contest is a leading KZN service provider in concrete testing and technology, and Naidu Consulting, a respected national consulting engineering firm. Commenting after the completion of her Contest internship, Kayleen said: “Working at Contest provided me with diverse views of the world of concrete. I experienced casting and testing of a variety of concrete mixes and visited construction sites to experience the challenges and solutions associated with different types of infrastructure. B uilding materials such as sand, aggregates, fly ash and other components of concrete are key to the success of any construction project and should be a prime consideration for all involved in the industry including professional bodies. This is according to Nico Pienaar of surface mining industry association, ASPASA, which was one of the founding members of the Construction Alliance South Africa (CASA), an organisation that seeks to unite all aspects of the construction industry in a common goal of sustainability of the industry. Since its establishment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns which threated to destroy the industry, the alliance has sought to establish firm lines of communication between role-players, including raw materials suppliers. Most recently, the South African Coal Ash Association (SACAA) has joined the alliance representing an abundant source of coal ash that is increasingly used as a principal construction material

in the formulation of cement, concrete, ground preparation, as a replacement for some grades of aggregates and even as a replacement for cement. The inclusion of ASPASA and SACAA in the construction industry supply chain is seen as a critical step towards meeting the country’s construction targets. With its overarching reach across all relevant industry bodies in the industry, CASA will provide raw materials suppliers under the banner of these associations with a means of communicating with role players and working towards common goals. Some of the main objectives of CASA are to: • Formulate effective joint action plans to achieve the mandate and purpose of CASA • Address the accelerated transformation of the construction industry • Engage in education, training and awareness programme • Unblock relief measures for the industry to remain sustainable “My work using a variety of high technology instruments, such as ground penetrating radar (GPR) sensors, opened my mind to a range of new possibilities. This internship has been a great practical way to support the text book methods taught at university,” she said. Siyabonga is equally grateful for the time spent at Naidu Consulting. He reflected: “I worked in the Structural Division of the company, focusing on bridges and buildings – an environment full of professionals who practically experience the civil engineering theory I am taught at university. This has inspired me to strive for excellence once in my career.” He was involved in tender adjudication and site inspections of different bridge projects while at Naidu Consulting. “Tender adjudication assesses the competency of tenderers and is a fundamental and crucial, part of construction. The site visits helped me understand the construction of bridges and will positively impact my final study year’s project about bridge design,” Siyabonga added.

• Identify infrastructure project opportunities in both the public and private sector • Address the regulatory matters which impede the industry • Address systemic challenges and fast-track intervention • Promote ethical and social responsibility • Promote the use of innovative construction technologies • Promote research and evidence- based policymaking for the construction industry • Value collaboration, integrity and leadership as guiding forces “These principals are also at the head of our agenda and ASPASA and SACAA will play an active role in the alliance to ensure that rawmaterials are available for any construction project that is required anywhere in the country. Collaboration is at the centre of all industry bodies in the construction industry and the establishment of CASA now has the ability to knit them together in a cohesive manner with shared goals,” he concludes.  Kayleen Pillay (top) and Siyabonga Maduna (bottom) who gained hands-on experience of careers in concrete as part of a new CCSA KZN branch initiative. Kevin Volmink,Chairperson of the CCSA KZN branch, said the branch was planning to arrange similar vacation internships for final year civil engineering students at the University of KZN in future. A Student Chapter of CCSA has been established at the university to organise concrete events for BSc Civil Engineering students and stimulate interest in concrete-related careers. 

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32 CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2021