In a province grappling with youth unemployment and economic inequality, a strategic training initiative by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is helping to turn the tide—one student at a time.
On Monday, SANRAL hosted a certificate award ceremony in Camperdown, celebrating the achievements of young people who completed the agency’s Contract Skills Development Goal (CSDG) training programme. The initiative forms part of SANRAL’s expansive N3 Development Project, specifically the Cato Ridge component, and is run in partnership with Raubex Construction and engineering consultancies Corabrand, Nyeleti, and GIBB.
Speaking at the ceremony, SANRAL Board Chairperson Themba Mhambi emphasized the agency’s commitment to tackling poverty, unemployment, and inequality through meaningful skills development. “SANRAL alone spends over R1 billion annually on youth training and development. Our goal is to ensure this investment yields measurable outcomes by helping young people gain accredited qualifications and become active contributors to the economy,” he said.
The CSDG programme offers on-site training for unemployed graduates, allowing them to complete their work-integrated learning and take steps toward professional registration in the construction industry. Since its inception in October 2022, the programme has grown from an initial intake of 23 students to a total of 80 students involved in the Cato Ridge site, with nearly 800 youth benefitting nationwide.
Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Chief Construction Operations and Maintenance Engineer, noted that the training extends beyond technical skills. “It’s a holistic approach—combining technical know-how with personal and professional development to lay a strong foundation for careers in construction.”
Board Member Refilwe Buthelezi highlighted the role of mentorship in the programme, encouraging participants to seek role models and become proactive leaders. “Engineering doesn’t just solve problems—it transforms lives. This programme is proof that youth can not only find jobs but become job creators,” she said.
For participants like Princess Mtuli, the programme provided hands-on experience in key areas such as site preparation, teamwork, quality assurance, and health and safety. “It has equipped us with essential industry standards that will shape our roles in future projects,” she said.
Fellow trainee Malaika Ahiwe described the experience as transformative. “I’ve grown both personally and professionally. Working on the programme made me confident and career-ready. I now understand how to operate in a multidisciplinary team and see myself as a ‘consciously competent’ professional,” she said.
The success of the SANRAL programme underscores the potential of public-private partnerships in not only building infrastructure but also building futures. As construction continues along the N3 corridor, the real legacy may be the skilled professionals it leaves in its wake.
