YOUNG PROFESSIONALS SEMINAR

CIVIL ENGINEERING CHALLENGES

Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre Gauteng Date: 22 November 2013

Presenter: Vikash Loopoo, (BSc. Eng)

Candidate Engineer

Directorate: Civil & Structural Engineering

BUILT ENVIRONMENT DISCIPLINES (ACT 43 OF 2000)

Residing within the Department of Land

Affairs.

Councils also serving the built environment:

ENGINEERING PROFESSIONS

CIVIL ENGINEERING

DEFINITION OF CATEGORIES (ECSA) PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING ACT 2000

Engineers (BEng/BSc Eng):

Complex work, including pioneering of new engineering services and methods

Technologists (BTech):

Applying current engineering technology to develop and manage modern engineering solutions and processes.

Technicians (NDip):

Apply established engineering procedures, practices, standards and codes in support of engineering activities, and the management and operation of routine engineering operations and processes.

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND NDPWDirectorate Civil & Structural Engineering Current Activities:

– Water Management,

– Dolomite Risk Management

– Civil Engineering Services,

– Structural Engineering and

– Geotechnical Engineering

DEPARTMENTAL CLIENTS

• The Department of Public Works serves more than 40 client bodies, which mainly consist of national departments, by providing facilities and infrastructure suitable for their accommodation needs.

• Examples of these “Client Departments” are the South African Police Services, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Correctional Services and the Department of Defence.

TYPICAL PROJECT CYCLE IN THE NDPW INVOLVING CIVIL ENGINEERING

HOW DOES THE DIRECTORATE CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT OTHER

DIRECTORATES

WHERE THE NDPW SHOULD BE IN 2030…

Be ‘Right Sized’, in terms of staff complement, expertise and infrastructure - to support the state’s own needs in the Built Environment, without overlapping with the responsibilities of other Departments.

Be able to ensure projects are technically excellent, cost effective and timeously operational. These must also be sustainable in terms of funding and human expertise.

THE WAY FORWARDConfirm the role of NDPW, to suit the demands of a developing country.

Train and retain civil engineering professionals and other critical professionals.

Enabling targeted individuals to take up fulfilling and challenging long-time careers within the department – supported by appropriate technologies, equipment and administrative systems.

Create appropriately staffed and mandated staff structures in support of the core business of NDPW.

THE WAY FORWARDIncrease the role of the Directorate: Civil & Structural Engineering within the Department, reducing the dependence on external consultants.

Assist the department in contributing to the establishment of a sustainable skilled technical workforce (mentoring program) and the national skills pipeline.

Capable staff with good and seamless IT support is needed to increase efficiency and interdepartmental interaction.

The above recommendations are considered essential so that:…