NEWS
5
AfriBuild 2020 recognises and supports
critical need for skills development
in local building sector
Skills development is becoming an increasingly
pressing concern and an essential priority
for South African business at all levels. Local
unemployment rates continue to climb, with
Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour
Force Survey (QLFS) for the Q2 of 2019 stating that
the number of unemployed persons increased by
455 000 to 6.7 million in Q2: 2019, compared to the
first three months of the year.
It is clear that there is an urgent need for skills transfer and
education at the artisan level, with an emphasis on fast,
but high-quality technical training. This will not only play an
important role in boosting the economy, but also create a
positive turn-around in unemployment levels.
It is here that a platform like the upcoming AfriBuild 2020
show, the new building services trade expo, can play a
strategic role. The show, which will run alongside the
continent’s only tradeshow focused on all elements of
plumbing, PlumbDrain Africa, aims to provide the local
building industry with the opportunity to deepen learning,
with a dedicated skills development area.
The show’s dedicated Skills Development Zone will be
managed by private training provider, the Artisan Training
Institute (ATI). It is exclusively earmarked to give a hands-
on demonstration of technical skills such as fitting &
turning, fabrication, welding, boilermaking, electrical and
instrumentation, as well as pneumatics, hydraulics and
electro-pneumatics.
It takes on an interactive workshop format during which
conference delegates can ask ATI’s training managers
specific questions about training opportunities and career
pathways for future artisans. It also aims to fill the gap
between the demand and supply of technical skills.
According to Sean Jones, managing director of ATI, the
AfriBuild Skills Development Zone concept proved to be
highly successful at other exhibitions such as Electra
Mining and the Local Manufacturing Expo.
“The Skills Development Zone is geared at showing young
people the endless possibilities of a career in artisan
training and encouraging companies to invest in artisan
training as a solution to South Africa’s unemployment
problems,” says Jones.
“We are excited to again host this highlight at AfriBuild
2020. Skills development can unlock a multitude of
opportunities in Africa’s building sector, and we look
forward to explore these opportunities with delegates,”
he concludes.
“The Skills
Development
Zone is geared
at showing
young people
the endless
possibilities
of a career
in artisan
training and
encouraging
companies
to invest
in artisan
training."
In addition to this, AfriBuild 2020 puts a strong emphasis
on practical knowledge exchange, providing real-life
experience through multiple demonstration areas, and
offers two free, fit-for-purpose seminar theatres featuring
expert speakers providing business-related guidance.
AfriBuild is gearing up for its exciting launch at the
Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, on 13-15 October 2020.
The trade-only expo will be a biennial event that will take
place over three days and intends to become a hands-on
building solutions show for the entire sector. PA
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January 2020 Volume 25 I Number 11
www.plumbingafrica.co.za