When seeking employment, aspiring hardhatPROFESSIONALs should prioritize JSE-listed companies. These system-based companies have a proven track record of meeting the highest global standards. The fortunes of these JSE-listed companies fluctuate in line with the Kondratev Curves, which signify economic peaks and troughs.
The second choice for employment should be an establishment composed of former operators from established companies who have solid expertise in contracting. These individuals should have 15 to 20 years of industry experience and be able to operate seamlessly and independently.
The next choice should be self-employment, once you have acquired significant hands-on experience, contacts, and a strong work ethic. As an entrepreneur, you need to lead by example and be innovative, as you have not only your family to support but also other employees.
You should have developed an acute passion for processes, and be able to draw on your wealth of experience to find innovative solutions.
In today's digital age, assessing potential employers is easier than ever before. Below are some key factors to consider when evaluating a company as a prospective employer:
Company Leadership: Research the background, experience, and reputation of the company's leadership team.
CIDB Grading: If applicable, review the company's CIDB (Construction Industry Development Board) grading to assess its standing in the construction industry.
Current Work: Investigate the company's current projects and clients to understand its market position and industry reputation.
Approximate Order Book: Analyze the company's order book to gauge its future workload and potential for growth.
Key Staff Content: Assess the qualifications, experience, and morale of the company's key staff members.
Employee Numbers: Consider the size of the company and its employee turnover rate as indicators of stability and growth potential.
Prospective Work: Evaluate the company's future project pipeline and strategic direction to determine if it aligns with your career goals and aspirations.
By thoroughly examining these factors, you can gain valuable insights into a potential employer and make informed decisions about seeking employment opportunities with them.
The challenge now lies in equipping young and inexperienced students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully navigate the interview process and understand the industry's inner workings.
To address this, compulsory coursework should be implemented, teaching students essential concepts and strategies. Additionally, critical engagements should be organized, inviting industry professionals to provide firsthand insights and experiences to students.
Furthermore, students should actively engage in vacation work from their first year onwards. This, combined with participating in attachments similar to diploma students, will help enhance their CVs, broaden their knowledge, and increase their confidence when seeking full-time employment.
The ideal safe space would be established private sector players with specific reputations and online presence. Safest ones are those offering bursaries. Government departments are also very safe too.
My advice for aspiring hardhat professionals seeking employment is to focus on 1st and 2nd preferred employers as listed above. Gain as much experience as possible by applying theoretical knowledge practically in systems-based roles before venturing out on their own.
By then, you'll have developed a strong foundation of what works and what doesn't. You'll also be equipped to venture into self-employment if needed.
Working with emerging or still emerging entities can be risky. There are often many undefined gray areas, and individuals may not prioritize the well-being of other families before their own.
Based on my personal experiences and feedback from others, I strongly advise maintaining a safe distance from these individuals and allowing them to handle their own affairs, rather than becoming part of a negative statistic. Engaging with them often leads to unsatisfactory outcomes, as there is a lack of genuine passion and commitment to personal growth, or a genuine desire to see others grow.
Prince Nqobani Lufu, is a skilled and seasoned professional, with over 18 years of experience in contracting and consultancy. He holds a BSc in Construction Management degree from Nelson Mandela University. He is passionate about systems, especially ISO 9001 and other fields related to the built environment.
Prince has conducted extensive research on ISO 9001 setup at the honors level, demonstrating his commitment to continuous learning and expertise in the field. Currently, he operates as a self-employed consultant, providing valuable services in both construction management and project management.
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