The potential of built-environment professionals’ contribution towards emerging contractor development

Abstract

Emerging contractors have enjoyed greater privileges since the advent of the new South African dispensation. The state has put many resources, ranging from enabling legislative laws and regulations to the funding of training and development programmes, to assist these contractors. The intended outcomes, however, seemed to be elusive in government-funded projects. The business environment still poses some challenges to the emerging contractors; hence the question: Can built-environment professionals contribute to emerging contractor development? The purpose of this article is to indicate to what extent built-environment professionals can contribute towards contractor development within the existing contractual parameters. Although built environment professionals ensure that there are open communication channels between them and emerging contractors, there is some cause for concern regarding the effectiveness of written and graphic communication. Built-environment professionals do not necessarily spend much time in training emerging contractors, but more than normal time is given in inspecting work done by emerging contractors, even though building contracts do not make provision for this. The value of the findings outlined could assist in improving success through collaboration between project role players at minimal input costs.