The Civil Engineering Contractor May 2018

ON POLICYMAKERS’ DESKS Remaining a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor 4 - CEC May 2018 “They have competencies that complement ours and will add value when we tender for new work together. “UWP’s procurement journey has been a long one, requiring mindset changes. But today we have a genuinely transformed procurement process and we continue to improve on it for even better results.” Sindane points out that solid frameworks are in place for the development of employee skills internally and supplier skills externally. “It’s now about using these programmes to produce the required outcomes.” Good news from SARMA Amid tax increases and controversy, SARMA Mancom has decided that SARMA will not increase levies for 2018. SARMA would like to thank all the members that made this possible through their continued support. This is SARMA’s way of giving back to its members by alleviating financial pressure. SARMA would like to thank all the members who recently renewed their membership. These members include: Afrisam Readymix SA Chryso South Africa Mapei South Africa OnTime Readymix Pan Mixers South Africa Rocktuff Readymix OMV On Site Tools FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA WAM South Africa While UWP Consulting achieved Level 1 Contributor status in the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, CEO Nonkululeko Sindane concedes that staying there will be challenging. UWP was certified at Level 1 by verification agency Renaissance SA Ratings in November 2017, and the company will be assessed against the new Amended Construction Sector Codes of Good Practice in November 2018. Sindane points out that these codes have areas that are onerous, but not insurmountable. “We are working on plans to address all the challenges and we are cautiously optimistic that we can retain our Level 1 status.” Sindane says a fundamental change in the Construction Sector Codes lies in Management Control, where the points previously available for employing technical employees in junior management positions have been removed. “UWP will continue to employ young professionals at this level, but we will intensify the training and development needed to fast-track their advancement in the company. Our young professionals will have to share the responsibility for their own progress and for our success as a company,” she emphasises. The ongoing focus to employ, train, and support women in technical roles has its difficulties, as the whole industry is looking for the same people in a v

The Civil Engineering Contractor May 2018 | Page 6