In March last year at the soil turning of the city’s largest construction undertaking, the R35-billion Durban Point Waterfront Development, eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede boldly estimated that the city’s most ambitious construction project will create 11 000 jobs annually over the 15-year period. It would also lead to approximately 6 750 permanent jobs.
In addition, along with creating a world-class digitally-advanced and tourist-friendly city fronting the Indian Ocean, local existing property values in the area is set to increase by approximately 10% and property values in the overall central business district could rise by 5% because of the development.
This project and others, such as the Cornubia mixed-use development, should provide a welcome relief as ‘the South African construction industry is set to emerge from recession albeit amid sluggish growth’, as announced by research firm Fitch Solutions.
The third annual KZN Construction Expo, hosted at the Durban Exhibition Centre, is heeding this call.
During the expo from 20 to 21 February, industry professionals can attend a series of free training workshops on topics ranging from rules of professional conduct for architects, avoiding disputes in the construction contract, national building regulations, pricing in the electrical industry, timber frame housing, an overview of quality precast concrete and more. Selected workshops offer CPD accreditation by the South African Institute for Building Design (SAIBD).
“As part of our wider objective to positively impact the African construction industry, these free industry training and networking opportunities for contractors, engineers, architects and all other construction sector professionals will go far to feed the industry talent pool,” says Tracy-Lee Behr, Portfolio Director at dmg events, expo organiser.
The expo will also feature the Stakeholder Engagement Forum where private and public sector representatives can engage in a conversation on issues affecting the state of the local industry. Ross Stembridge from Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal, Clarence Kachipande from Marley Building Systems as well as senior representatives from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Department of Human Settlements and the Department of Public Works are among the panelists that are participating in the forum.
Every year, KZN Construction Expo offers a platform to over 2 750 construction professionals to connect and drive the future of the construction sector in KwaZulu-Natal.
To find out more about the 2019 edition of the expo or to ensure your spot at the workshops, visit www.kznconstructionexpo.com.
