2009-03-25: JW empowers Learner Contractors
AS part of the City of Johannesburg's Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), Johannesburg Water (JW) has undertaken a mandate to award 13 Learnership Contractors to do replacements of water mains within the city.
Contractor Learnership is a programme designed by Department of Public Works and CETA, with an aim to support provinces and municipalities. Selected learners go on a three-year full-time learnership, consisting of series of classroom training and practical training projects. Contractors must exit after a maximum of three years to compete on open market. Typically each contractor will employ 100 – 200 people and be 100% BEE compliance.
JW will use 13 identified Learnership Contractors to replace water mains in Lenasia, through the EPWP. Contractor's cost estimate ranges from between R1 million to R1, 1 million per project. The project entails the replacement of existing AC pipes with new Class 16 uPVC high impact pressure pipelines, ranging in diameter from 75mm to 250mm. Furthermore, the programme will include the removal of existing fire hydrants, water meters, gate valves and installation of new house connections, fire hydrants, and water meters to the new pipelines. The total length for the new pipelines is approximately 5.5km and the anticipated construction period is twelve weeks.
EPWP is one of the key components of the government's drive to alleviate poverty and unemployment in South Africa. Launched in March 2004, the programme was expected to create work opportunities and provide training to at least one million people by 2009.
Opportunities for implementing the EPWP have been identified in the following sectors:
Infrastructure: by increasing the labour intensity of public infrastructure projects.
Environment and culture: by creating work opportunities in public environmental programmes.
Social: by creating work opportunities in public social programmes.
Economic: by developing small businesses and co-operatives.
The City has a dedicated EPWP office that co-ordinates and administrates all the EPWP activities of City departments and municipal-owned entities, such as Johannesburg Water. JW is committed to the development of skills within communities through on-the-job training of workers and contractors with the aim to develop sustainable capacity; capacitate SMMEs and emerging contractors by facilitating the transfer of sustainable technical, managerial and financial skills through an appropriate learnership programme; and promote the procurement of goods and services from local manufacturers, suppliers and service providers.
For further enquiries please contact:
Tebatso Baldwin Matsimela
Manager: Marketing & Communications
Tel: 011 688-1666
Mobile: 082 859 0459
