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Vuka Makhi means “Arise Builder”.

The Master Builders Vuka Makhi programme was launched to address skills and training gaps within the construction industry. It is a free initiative that supports individuals who have chosen the built environment as a career as well as the member companies who employ them. It has three focus areas: 

• Candidacy Intervention
• Short Skills Intervention
• Skills Card Intervention 

CANDIDACY INTERVENTION 

The objective of the candidacy programme is to assist graduates on their route to professional registration. The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Candidacy Programme enrols built environment graduates and supports them from their registration as a candidate through to their registration as a professional. 

Candidates are supported with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) registration for the following occupations:

• Candidate Construction Manager 
• Professional Construction Manager 
• Candidate Construction Project Manager 
• Professional Construction Project Manager 
• Construction Health and Safety Officer
• Construction Health and Safety Manager 
• Construction Health and Safety Agent

To be admitted to this programme, prospective candidates need to possess one of the following:

• Honours Degree
• Bachelors or BTech degree plus 1 year of work experience
• National Diploma plus 2 years of work experience

Prospective candidates will also be required to satisfy the entrance criteria set out by (SACPCMP).

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal will assist with registering with the SACPCMP and will also pay registration fees. Registered candidates will be assigned to a Mentor i.e., a professional registered with SACPCMP. The mentor will keep a log of activities that the candidate engages in and recommend training interventions if needed.

The candidate will commit to the following process:

• The development of a suitable workplan comprising projects and activities in line with the relevant competency standards.
• Execution of projects and activities in the workplace under supervision
• Undertake initial professional development
• Compile a training and experience report/logbook
• Regularly review experience with their mentor
• When the mentor is satisfied that the candidate has met all the competency standards to complete the statutory submissions for professional registration, application for professional registration with SACPCMP will take place.

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal will assist with the registration as a professional and pay the registration fee.


SKILLS CARD INTERVENTION

Many construction workers informally learn skills while working. These skills are often not recognised because no formal assessment has taken place. The skills card intervention is a free programme that allows employees to receive formal recognition of such skills and provides them with access to writing a trade test. This enhances the employability of the employees and assures employers of the skills that their staff possess.

Employees engaged in the following fields will be considered for admission to this programme:

• Bricklaying
• Carpentry 
• Plastering
• Plumbing  

A simplified process has been implemented to ensure ease of access to writing a trade test.

• The employer identifies employees for assessment and recommends them for the assessment.
• Workers complete a simple application form that contains the requirements for this process.
• Employees undergo an assessment to prove competency in the identified skill(s).
• A recognition of skills card is issued, specifying the tasks for which the employee has been deemed competent.
• The employee writes a trade test.

SHORT SKILLS INTERVENTION

There is a dire shortage of trade skills. In many instances, these skills are urgently required however completing a full qualification often takes too long. To address this urgent need for skills, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal offers a short skills intervention for site supervisors and foremen, at no cost to members.

This intervention is based on the qualification: Supervision of Construction Processes which reflects the skills, knowledge and understanding required to be an effective supervisor in the construction industry whether in micro, small, medium, or large operations. The objective of this intervention is to develop the following competencies:

• Occupational health and safety
• Industry and organisation procurement policies and norms used to prepare procurement documentation
• Quality control and improvement in the construction environment conducted according to industry norms and specifications
• Productivity control and improvement shown in accordance with industry norms and specification
• Organisational norms and human resource legislation
• Drawings are read, interpreted, and evaluated using specifications and industry norms.

For more information, call 031 831 3229