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participants and offer sustainable solutions . In addition to technical construction skills these programmes should also focus on areas such as costing , accounting , labour relations and marketing .
• We must provide clear policy guidelines to all infrastructure clients on gender bias procurement and development .
• We have to engender a greater awareness about public sector support programmes that can be accessed , especially through the Small Enterprise Development Agency ( SEDA ) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency ( SEFA ). In line with government ’ s ‘ war on red tape ’ it should streamline bureaucratic processes that might hinder access to finance or technical support .
• We should strengthen mentorship programmes which will enable female entrepreneurs to tap into networks of support and experience . Mentoring provides a protective environment within which emerging entrepreneurs can learn , experiment – even fail on occasions – but , eventually , grow .
There is no doubt that construction plays a vital role in the postpandemic economic recovery and reconstruction of this country . This was a recurring theme at successive international investment conferences hosted by the government over the past three years and is at the core of strategic initiatives to revitalise infrastructure and move towards sustainable energy solutions .
The National Infrastructure Plan 2050 sets out a long-term programme to build , manage , and maintain the infrastructure which will drive economic and social transformation . This consists of extensive investments in public sector infrastructure projects which will stimulate activities in the private sector .
The Construction Industry Development Board will continue to be a key player in these initiatives . Through our programmes and initiatives , we will continue to promote the contribution of construction in the South African economy and society .
We are confident that , as many of these projects move from the drawing boards to the actual construction sites , the participation of women in the industry will continue to grow . RACA
" We should strengthen mentorship programmes which will enable female entrepreneurs to tap into networks of support and experience ."
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RACA Journal I November 2022 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za