REGULARS: PERSONALITY PROFILE
Practitioner with a Certificate in
occupationally directed – education,
training and development practices
(OD-ETDP).
“My passion for the construction
industry has exposed me to many skills
within the sector, giving me an ability to
develop and advise on various industry
training programmes and assessment tools
and techniques.”
And it was this ability to advise that led
him into the industry. He started off as a
labourer on site and worked his way up to
site administrator. When asked by a friend,
who was working as a contractor – to join
the progress meeting, he didn’t hesitate. As
he sat quietly listening to the group seeking
common ground, one of the engineers
asked for his opinion…and so the journey
began. “I honestly cannot remember what
that opinion was; but it made everyone
interested in me. Two days later I was asked
to join their project steering committee and
participate in their community meetings,
from there I became more involved and
very much interested in people
development.”
Changing people’s lives
According to Dilimeni, the importance of
training and development in the private
construction sector is undervalued.
“One needs to be mindful of the fact
there are practical things that can be done
to ensure that, if you do decide to invest in
the growth and development of your
people, you can enjoy a return on
investment that makes the time and money
spent worthwhile,” he emphasises.
He lists three challenges he believes the
industry needs to over come:
1. Engagement and collaboration between
stakeholders, from contractors to
associations and training providers;
2. One of the outcomes from
collaborations and engagements should
include training programme design and
implementation where all involved
agree on the programme prerequisites
and certification procedures that will
advance the roofing industry; and
3. Business and government should invest
in easy to access and have less barriers
to enter roofing training programmes,
which will lead to recognised industry
certification such as the Institute of
Timber Construction South Africa (ITC-SA).
For Dilimeni, being in the industry enables
him to contribute to a better society. “ETD
is about more than making money; but it is
also about changing lives and giving people
access to opportunities.”
Being in the industry for over a decade,
he has been exposed to several projects
and highlights an ongoing project with
government.
“The one that stands out the most is the
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)
implemented annually by the Western Cape
Government. I have been involved with this
EPWP project since 2008, Phase 1 back then
and this year we are implementing Phase
10,” he shares.
Predicting the future
“ is about
creating it.”
“The programme is targeted at youth
between 18 and 35 years old offering
construction learnership opportunities
consisting of two to three months
theoretical training and six months
practical training with a host employer.
It’s a massive project both in terms of
monetary value and impact to
unemployed people in previously
disadvantaged communities.”
Up, up and away
Predicting the future is about creating it;
he’s ready to take up leadership roles within
the sector.
“For me, leadership is about creating
value in whatever you do and leaving
something better than you found. I believe I
can build a business not only for the next
quarter, but also for the next quarter of a
century. All it takes is doing what’s right and
necessary now so that our future prospects
are not harmed but enhanced.”
He would like to continue his pursuit of
professional education to complement his
passion and talent. “Work smart and fail
forward! Don’t spend your present hoping
the past was different. Your future
happiness is about owning your present
thoughts, actions and beliefs,”
he concludes.
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CONTACT US: 0861 727 663 / www.saroofing.co.za
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
MAY 2018
27