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Johannesburg - The slow pace of economic growth, along with government delays in awarding tenders, continue to retard the recovery of the local infrastructure and construction sector. But, on the upside, this has provided a degree of relief to the artisan skills shortage in South Africa, says Sean Jones, a director of black-owned artisan training company, Artisan Training Institute (ATI).
“While there hasn’t been a huge demand for skills – including artisans - South Africa is still guilty of not training enough engineers, artisans and technicians.
If this continues, the shortage could be sorely felt when infrastructure projects valued at R845bn begin...and begin they will, “said Jones.
Developments
He said economic uncertainty had a hand in the delay of infrastructure projects, but, "as the world economy starts to recover from the2008 global recession, a more bullish sentiment will come to the fore. In addition, there is also a dire need for these infrastructure developments and we need to be ready.”
The skills shortage is not entirely unique to South Africa, Jones says, adding that around the globe crucial infrastructure schemes are vying for a dwindling skills pool amid fears that the skills shortage could delay projects in major markets.
Driven largely by China and India, construction is expected to grow globally by 67% over the next eight years.
Reservoir
“As South African projects continue to be delayed, the country's major construction companies are starting to look northwards seriously to win a share of the huge infrastructure projects being rolled out across the African continent.
"Developing and retaining key technical skills are essential if this country is to meet the challenges of building massive new infrastructures while – simultaneously – upgrading existing services.
“Just because these large projects have not been awarded yet doesn’t mean that they won’t be –and it doesn’t mean that we will be able to fulfil them with our current skills reservoir,” said Jones.
Meltdown
In terms of global infrastructure growth, the demand for new – and upgraded – infrastructure is driven by rising populations and increased urbanisation.
While the economies of the world are still battling to ignite after a harsh global financial meltdown, the outlook is becoming far more positive.
“Globally, construction is expected to grow from $7.2trn to $12trn in 2020, driven largely by emerging markets, such as South Africa,” said Jones.
An Oxford economics survey estimates that construction will make up 13.2% of global GDP by 2020.
“While there hasn’t been a huge demand for skills – including artisans - South Africa is still guilty of not training enough engineers, artisans and technicians.
If this continues, the shortage could be sorely felt when infrastructure projects valued at R845bn begin...and begin they will, “said Jones.
Developments
He said economic uncertainty had a hand in the delay of infrastructure projects, but, "as the world economy starts to recover from the2008 global recession, a more bullish sentiment will come to the fore. In addition, there is also a dire need for these infrastructure developments and we need to be ready.”
The skills shortage is not entirely unique to South Africa, Jones says, adding that around the globe crucial infrastructure schemes are vying for a dwindling skills pool amid fears that the skills shortage could delay projects in major markets.
Driven largely by China and India, construction is expected to grow globally by 67% over the next eight years.
Reservoir
“As South African projects continue to be delayed, the country's major construction companies are starting to look northwards seriously to win a share of the huge infrastructure projects being rolled out across the African continent.
"Developing and retaining key technical skills are essential if this country is to meet the challenges of building massive new infrastructures while – simultaneously – upgrading existing services.
“Just because these large projects have not been awarded yet doesn’t mean that they won’t be –and it doesn’t mean that we will be able to fulfil them with our current skills reservoir,” said Jones.
Meltdown
In terms of global infrastructure growth, the demand for new – and upgraded – infrastructure is driven by rising populations and increased urbanisation.
While the economies of the world are still battling to ignite after a harsh global financial meltdown, the outlook is becoming far more positive.
“Globally, construction is expected to grow from $7.2trn to $12trn in 2020, driven largely by emerging markets, such as South Africa,” said Jones.
An Oxford economics survey estimates that construction will make up 13.2% of global GDP by 2020.
