FEATURES
Many factors have caused for a skills gap in the industry, being a specialised trade is the main factor.
Why is there
a skills shortage?
Working with professionals in the industry, clearly there is a
skills shortage, but can an amicable solution be reached?
By Ntsako Khosa
T
he skills shortage and transfer gap from old to young
in the timber sector are further widened by
differences from within the industry.
Interacting with experts in the field shows a lack of
integration and variety in terms of people who have the
knowledge of how the industry operates from design right
through to completion. The older generations are front and
centre, while a youthful presence is limited. From
contractors to government and private institutions, they all
agree that the construction industry is sitting on a skills
shortage crisis.
“I find that there’s a huge gap in understanding between
the public and private sector in terms of what is needed and
34 APRIL / MAY 2018 //
what is being supplied,” says Siyabonga Dilimeni, from
private further education and training (FET) college, Tjeka.
There are degrees, diplomas and courses available for
people interested in entering the industry. Despite
construction being a varied profession, it does require
specialists in certain trades such as roofing and timber.
And it is such trades that are under catered for in higher
learning institutions.
INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
“On the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and FET
band you can do the following qualifications; National
Certificate: Building and Civils (NQF 3), National Certificate: