THE POWER OF SELF-PERFORM CONSTRUCTION ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT ADDRESSING SKILLS SHORTAGES IN AFRICA

By SENET, a DRA Global Group Company 

By the very nature of the sector, mining operations are often carried out in remote areas with little to no infrastructure or skilled labour. This can make breaking ground in even the smallest project a daunting task.

According to Pieter Theron, Senior Vice President at SENET, a DRA Global Group Company, the very successful, SENET Self-Perform Construction Model, was born out of this necessity. “This model offers clients the opportunity to execute their projects successfully, even in countries where there are limited skills available,” explains Theron.

What Does Self-perform Construction Entail?

This Model offers customers peace of mind, ensuring that every project is handled by construction crews that have the necessary experience to ensure the success of the project. This includes making SENET’s highly experienced construction management team available to the client, to manage:

• The recruitment of skilled labour, from foreman level down to artisans, etc.
• Hiring of general labour from within local communities
• Procuring or renting equipment on behalf of the client

Where equipment is procured, it is handed over to the client upon project completion to be used onsite for maintenance purposes

The Benefits of the Self-perform Construction Model

As an offering delivered to SENET customers, the Self-perform Construction Model offers various benefits. This Model is not a profit centre for SENET, but rather a value adding service offered to customers. As a result, the customer retains the risk of the project, albeit a lower risk with skilled labour at the helm.

Theron lists the top benefits of the Self-perform Construction Model as:

• A cost-effective Model in which the customer retains control of the project
• Client remains in full control of the quality of the product with a standard approach, offering high quality performance
• No need to hire sub-contractors, meaning that clients are not exposed to extra claims for standing time, rework, or for rain or adverse weather conditions
• The SENET teams integrate with the client’s operations, making the interface easier; as if dealing with their own teams
• Strong relationships with construction management teams drive greater efficiencies across a range of projects
• Skilled, experienced crews offer improved safety standards
• General labour sourced from local communities are given training, with a focus on transferring knowledge, driving safety protocols, and upskilling these communities

When to Consider SENET’s Self-perform Model

Before deciding whether to use the self-performing model or not, consideration should be given to the area where the project will be executed, and whether there are suitably qualified and experienced contractors available.

“If it turns out to be a fairly remote location with limited skills available, the self-perform model would be an ideal alternative,” adds Theron. “However, in certain regions in West Africa where there are relatively good contractors available, we would advise making use of those contractors. Where needed, customers could supplement their teams with skills to ensure a quality product.”

SENET’s Self-perform Credentials

“Having implemented this Model for customers across Africa, the construction managers working with SENET understand the Model and deliver with best-practices as their benchmark,” concludes Theron.

For more information about SENET’s Self-perform Construction Model, contact Pieter Theron (p.theron@senet.co.za).

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