Emerging Women Contractors from North Coast Region- Zululand District.
“If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.” –Margaret Thatcher. Thursday 04 August 2022 the Youth, Women, People with Disabilities and Military Veterans kick started the women’s month at the North Coast Region, Zululand District by hosting a training session for emerging women contactors. The Department continues with its focus aimed at fast tracking the emerging contractors from previously disadvantaged communities into the mainstream construction industry. The training focuses on preparing emerging women contactors to be part of the infrastructure revolution.
The training is targeting women ranging from grade one to three in terms of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading system who are still emerging. The objective is to train women contractors on various compliance issues in regards to the managing and running a construction business. A request was sent to the Department of Labour to come and share with the women on topics like the compliance processes that they will need to follow when they have employees in their companies and what are the expectations.
Delegation from KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works.
The Department of Public Works prides itself on its commitment in uplifting the lives of women in KwaZulu-Natal, Departmental Supply Chain Management (SCM) for the North Coast Region was there as well to take them through on how to fill-in bid documents and the pricing aspect issues. In the past, it has been noted that there is a skill shortage in filling-inn of bid documents hence there has been a low percentage in female contractors on the Eyesizwe Contractor Development Programme (ECDP) database. This initiative is to ensure whenever there are projects or opportunities available for women that are equipped to respond accordingly to those bid documents.
Among the participants who attended the workshop was Ms Nokuthula Simelane from Ulundi she thanked the Department of Public Works for such opportunities they offer young people from previously disadvantages backgrounds, especially the women and youth, in 2017 Ms Simelane attended a training course under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) where her skills were sharpened in brick laying. With today’s training, she said, “with the information I gained in terms of filling-inn of Bid documents, I am adamant I will be receiving some positive feedback”.
