Nester Mokhojane who is a Construction Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Construction Manager, Construction Mentor and Business Development Specialist tells us about MY JOURNEY TO PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Please give us a brief summary on your career
I am a qualified Construction Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, Construction Manager, Construction Mentor and Business Development Specialist with 9 years of experience. I have been fortunate enough to have acquired industry experience in both the public and private sector.
In the public sector I was an employee for a short period with the National Department of Public Works (NDPW). In the private sector I have worked for both consultants (Zutari, former Aurecon) and contractors (Murray & Roberts etc). Currently I'm also involved in academia as a Lecturer in the Built Environment at Central University of Technology (CUT).
I also have various business interests/involvement in the built environment as a private consultant for contractors to assist with Contractor/Business Development initiatives and Contracts/Commercial Manager on large projects.
My extensive experience covers various commercial and industrial buildings, governmental buildings, high, middle and low-cost housing projects, mining buildings, reservoirs, various sports facilities and water, wastewater and sewer treatment plants.
These various roles accounted for my specialisation in Principal Consultancy, Principal Agency, Construction Project Management, Design Management, Quantity Surveying. I also have specialised knowledge in the forms of contract such as JBCC, GCC, FIDIC and NEC 3.
I hold a MSc Construction Project Management degree (MSc CPM), BTech Construction Management degree (BTech CM) and BTech Quantity Surveying degree (BTech QS). I was awarded the top student in both the MSc (CPM) and BTech (CM) degrees where I claimed the award for top performing student academically.
In addition, I'm in the process of completing the BSc Hons QS from the University of Witwatersrand, to attain the Professional Quantity Surveyor (Pr.QS) status on completion of the qualification. My MSc research treatise on the effectiveness of the JBCC in the local built environment was published nationally. I am also registered for PhD studies where I’m investigating the level of innovation and technology on the local built environment sector as we move towards the 4IR
What is your current Professional Registration status?
I'm a registered Professional Construction Project Manager (Pr.CPM) with the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP). In addition, I'm a Candidate Quantity Surveyor with the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP), an Associate Member of the Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM) and a Member (MAQS) with the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS). I’m also pursuing the PMP registration under the mentorship of Myirha Consulting.
What were your views on Professional Registration before your current status?
I became aware of professional registrations when the SACPCMP visited NMMU in my BTech year. It's been a long and strenuous journey but rewarding nonetheless. Having started my career working for contractors, there was not a lot of emphasis on professional registration. I spent my 3 years post graduate at the BTech CM working for contractors as a Site Agent/Site QS gaining the necessary technical and practical experience that every project manager needs.
I then made the transition to the NDPW, Bloemfontein Regional Office with the hope to complete my experience and register professionally. Sadly, this was not the case as the exposure to principal consultancy and principal agency was not sufficient as most projects are given to consultants which prompted my exit from the NDPW as I was seconded to consulting firms to gain the experience. When my contract expired with the NDPW, I then joined the then Aurecon RSA as a PM & QS, this is where I gained valuable experience in Principal Consultancy and Principal Agency leading multidisciplinary teams, I gained my registration shortly thereafter.
Taking the decision to leave NDPW was the hardest decision for me in pursuit of my registration, when I look back I have no regrets. I can advise the younger generation to not go chasing after the money, chase the experience and exposure and the money will follow after.
Have your views on Professional Registration changed since you started this journey?
Having been exposed to so much in a short period and also looking at my journey to professional registration, I come from a region (Free State) where less than 5% of all PrCPM are classified as HDI (blacks, coloured etc), I took it upon myself to get further registrations as a PrQS, PrCM and a Construction Mentor as well. This will assist me in playing a meaningful role in mentoring young candidates by ensuring we don't lose our future industry role players due to a lack of mentorship and opportunities.
I have experienced a lot of challenges on my route to registration but I remained resolute and determined. I want to make candidacy for CPMs, QSs and CMs a lot more bearable than it was for me. One of the biggest hurdles for candidates is a lack of access to registered professional mentors.
How has your career been impacted by your Professional Registration journey?
It's been excellent. So many opportunities opened up for me due to the registration but most importantly, it has given credibility and weight to my name when it comes to industry related matters within industry peers and within corporate circles as well.
Would you advise Construction/Built Environment Professionals to embark on this journey?
Absolutely, they must understand that it is not easy and requires perseverance and self drive. They must find themselves a mentor, one can't do it alone. Candidates need a mentor who will guide them through all the requirements and levels of exposure required as they make the transition from candidate to professional.
I appreciate there is a lot that needs to be done in giving candidates access to mentors, especially those candidates classified as HDI. We registered Professionals have a huge role/responsibility to play in levelling the playing field so the young candidates don't struggle with the petty things we struggled with.
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