Construction World Septemer 2017

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

work-readiness year, during which he is gaining experience by working for Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical. Since he began his internship in early 2017 he has visited a number of the division’s sites, including Katherine Towers development in Sandton (a piling contract); Ekurhuleni pedestrian bridges (micro piling); and the One on Whitely development in Melrose, where he has been exposed to a broad range of geotechnical capabilities. Morgan, who was the top ‘Go For Gold’ performer of the 2016 year says that his favourite part of being in the working environment is that he is constantly learning new things … in particular specific technical details, as well as understanding why things are completed in a certain way. He also says that when people are enthusiastic about their work and projects, it is infectious, and specifically mentions members of the Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical team he is currently with on a sinkhole rehabilitation project in Centurion. “Initiatives like ‘Go for Gold’ play a large part in creating a pool of talented, well- balanced individuals, who when they are finally fully employed in the industry, are real

assets and passionate about being here,” says Shaun Butler, managing director for Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical. “Morgan’s work experience sees him brushing shoulders with industry experts while being exposed to the various tech- niques we implement across a variety of soil conditions.” Since the beginning of 2017, the Geotechnical division has been awarded nineteen contracts across South Africa and Namibia. Projects include the nearly completed lateral support, bulk earthworks and dynamic compaction contract for the Lakeside Towers development in West Avenue, Centurion, which was particularly challenging as Centurion is classified as a high risk dolomite area. “We are busy finishing off a large oscillator piling project near the Saldanha Port in the Western Cape and have been awarded a contract for the piling of two bridges between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay on the old Salt Road,” continues Butler. “Morgan’s next project will see him working on yet another of our South African sites, where he will gain more insights into our niche capabilities, and hopefully, through his enquiring mind, bring a fresh perspective to the seasoned site-teams.” 

Stefanutti Stocks has been associated with the initiative in the Western Cape since 2012, and both the Civils and Geotechnical divisions became involved in the initiative when it launched in Gauteng in 2015. Morgan is now in Phase 2 of the Gauteng ’Go for Gold’ programme, a paid experiential learners from disadvantaged communities through four phases, starting with education (Grade 11) through to work experience, studying and finally to employment. Eighteen-year old Morgan Bentley matriculated from Zimisele Secondary School in 2016, with distinctions in Mathematics (99%) and Science (100%). He is part of an industry skills development programme, called ‘Go For Gold’ that accompanies

Pictured at a sinkhole rehabilitation project site in Centurion are, from left, Morgan Bentley, Johan Barnard (site foreman) and Lucas Mugondo (site safety manager).

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD SEPTEMBER 2017