Featured Post

NEWS: To what extent are Africa's megacities equipped and prepared to cope with the impacts of climate change?

Posted by on
The health repercussions of climate change in African cities require immediate attention. These urban areas find themselves on the front lines, facing rising temperatures and worsening air pollution. To safeguard both people and the environment, governments must act decisively. They must channel investments into green infrastructure, champion clean energy initiatives, and bolster healthcare systems. African cities face substantial health challenges due to climate change, including flood risks, droughts, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Droughts are a significant cause of mortality globally and are indirectly linked to extreme heat. Indirect health issues arise through food-borne and vector-borne diseases, non-communicable illnesses, displacement, and mental health stressors. Air pollution intensifies with fossil fuel combustion, contributing to over 5 million deaths annually. African cities have responded by implementing policies to minimize resource consumption and reduce gree
0

Time for a comprehensive skills plan for infrastructure, in the UK

Posted by on
Civils contractors in UK have called for the development of a dedicated skills plan for the infrastructure sector. With recent announcements by  President Cyril Ramaphosa on planned large infrastructure projects do we have enough skills to cope or does this call apply to South Africa as well?

Time for a comprehensive skills plan for infrastructure, in the UK

Results from the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA)’s Workload Trends Survey for 2019 Q4 show that 52% of British firms, on balance, reported supply issues with skilled operatives, the highest in nearly five years.

The most commonly reported dissatisfaction with supply in the last quarter of 2019 was for skilled operatives in England (52%), Scotland (63%), and Wales (36%).

CECA chief executive Alasdair Reisner said: “CECA’s Workload Trends Survey is one of the most comprehensive barometers of the state of our industry. Our members are reporting continued difficulties with the supply of suitable workers, which should set alarm-bells ringing in Whitehall, Holyrood, and Cardiff.

“The pipeline of planned investment in the infrastructure sector is of a sufficient scale to be transformative to the whole of the UK economy, but unless the workforce is sufficiently skilled in all parts of the UK, our members will be unable to deliver it to its full potential.

“Industry and government at all levels must co-operate now to put in place a comprehensive skills plan for the infrastructure sector, both to upskill the existing workforce and attract new entrants to the industry, if we are going to be able to deliver the ‘infrastructure revolution’ we need, and secure the British economy in the coming years.”

This article was first published here

Comments

Post a Comment