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The Contractor Development Programme is a learnership programme implemented by the DPRT to develop, train and equip the emerging contractors or entrepreneurs with Construction and Maintenance skills and knowledge on Routine Road Maintenance to provide work opportunities to previously disadvantage people to alleviate unemployment and poverty. It is also an intervention towards the development of capacity in the construction industry in order to build a sustainable economy in the Free State Province. Challenges 1. lack of routine road maintenance capacity within the the Department. 2. High unemployment rate throughout the Country. 3. Lack of participation of emerging SMMEs within the Construction Industry in the Country. 4. Budget constraints The programme has successfully addressed aspects of service delivery on the following: Building capacity by investing in human resources through skills development and training in order to create a sustainable economic climate in the Free State Province; Created opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons and also actively encourage their participation in the provincial economy; Alleviating poverty through job creation within local communities where the project is active; Successfully managed to deliver public infrastructure using labour intensive construction methods..

The goals and objectives of the Contactor Development Programme are: 1. To develop our previously disadvantaged aspiring contractors (hereafter after referred to as the delegates of the CDP) by equipping them with CETA accredited training (NQF L2); 2. Providing the delegates in the programme with practical road maintenance experience and financial economic empowerment; 3. Socio-economic development through employing labourers from previously disadvantaged communities; 4. To implement the EPWP policies with the focus on labour intensive construction methods; 5. Empowering labourers from local communities by transferring of skill through training in social and labour intensive construction methods; 6. To Create jobs through the implementation of the Programme 7. Maintenance of the provincial road infrastructure which will: 7.1 increase the road user safety, 7.2 decrease vehicle operating costs, 7.3 prolong road life span.

The project has successfully addressed aspects of service delivery on the following: Building capacity by investing in human resources through skills development and training in order to create a sustainable economic climate in the Free State Province; Created opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons and also actively encourage their participation in the provincial economy;Alleviating poverty through job creation within local communities where the project is active;Successfully managed to deliver public infrastructure using labour intensive construction methods. The CDP is a government initiative to assist emerging contractors through a structured CETA accredited training programme. The qualification aims to allow qualifying learners to start and manage their own construction business, whilst successfully completing small construction contracts safely and in a professional manner as to ensure the maintaining of industry standards The key performance areas are: 1.The Co-ordination and implementation of the Contractor Development Programme for emerging contractors. 2.Mentoring and mentoring of the emerging contractors to ensure that they successfully complete the structured course. 3. Co-ordination and monitoring of training programmes to ensure acceptable training standards are maintained and that the environment for skilled persons is sustained.

173 learner contractors have been developed and trained through the project and are subjected towards obtaining a NQF Level 2 Labour Intensive Construction Contracting Qualification. 37 of the 173 learner contractors have obtained the NQF Level 2 Labour Intensive Construction Contracting Qualification and have completed the requirements of the contractor development programme. 4662 jobs were created through the CDP Training Programme and has adversely reduced the level of unemployment . Jobs have been created through the CDP implementation in 65 of the 84 towns in the Province, therefore addressing job creation in 77% of the total towns in the Province. The local labourers from the communities obtains physical labour intensive Construction training.The road safety is improved through the implementation of the project by sealing-off the open potholes and clearing of vegetation besides the roads Through the road maintenance undertaken by the CDP Contractors the country’s economic growth gets to be complemented as the Province is the economic transport link and center of surrounding provinces.

The Contractor Development Programme is aimed at building capacity by investing in human resources through skills development and training in order to create a sustainable economic climate in the Free State Province Created opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons and also actively encourage their participation in the provincial economy Minimize the level of poverty through job creation within local communities where the project is active. Successfully managed to deliver public infrastructure using labour intensive technology. promote mobility and accessibility of roads infrastructure and also to transfer construction management skills to local communities.

Since the inception of the Contractor Development Programme the Department has managed to enroll 173 learner contractors and to date 125 learner contractors has managed to complete the learnership programme successfully . Out of the 173 learner contractors the initiative impacted 100 % on historically disadvantaged individuals, of which 30% is youth, 25% is women and 2% is people with disability. The training of learner contractors aimed at acquiring of a National Qualification Framework ( NQF) in Construction Contracting Level 2. The initiative also impacted in the communities where the Contractor development Programme Projects are implemented as only local labours are employed on the projects within their areas. Overall work opportunities created by the Contractor Development Programme from 2014/15 financial year to date is 4662, 1) 68% youth 2) 26% women As the Free State Province is the economic transport link and center of surrounding provinces, through the road maintenance projects undertaken by the Contractor development Programme the country's economic growth gets to be complemented and local suppliers are used to supply their products to the learner contractors. The rate of crime in the Free State Province has reduced to job creation and poverty alleviation.

The Contractor Development Programme is a learnership programme implemented by the Free State Government to develop, train and equip the emerging contractors or entrepreneurs with Construction and Maintenance skills and knowledge on Routine Road Maintenance to provide work opportunities to previously disadvantage people to reduce the level of unemployment and poverty. It is also a Departmental intervention towards development of capacity in Construction Industry in order to build a sustainable economic in Free State. The FS DPRT has incorporated into all the existing capital projects (Projects such as rehabilitation of roads) that 30% of the project (value) must be allocated to the designated sub-contractors provided by the FS DPRT including local contractors, furthermore is the EPWP project where the department appoints a project manager and multiple SMME contractors to construct roads.

The CDP is a government initiative to assist emerging contractors through a structured CETA accredited training programme. The qualification aims to allow qualifying learners to start and manage their own construction contracting businesses, whilst successfully completing small construction contracts safely and in a professional manner as to ensure the maintaining of industry standards. The key performance areas are: • The Co-ordination and implementation of the development programme for emerging contractors. • Mentoring of the emerging contractors to ensure that they successfully complete the structured course. • Co-ordination and monitoring of training programmes to ensure acceptable training standards are maintained and that the environment for skilled persons is sustained. • Investigation of cost-effective ways and means to increase emerging contractor involvement in the provision, operation and maintenance of building and engineering infrastructure. The Project is an adaptation of the national framework with innovative initiatives taken by the department to improve the rapid economic empowerment strategies for improved service delivery and redress of previously disadvantaged communities.

Financial- the department allocates budget to appointed CDPs, Services providers and training facilities fro the implementation of the programme. the department also pays stipend for the Appointed CDPs while they are in the classroom training. Training Material - the Department provides the training material through Construction and Education Training Authority, Central University of Technology Free State , South African Revenue services and VNA Consulting Engineers. The department also provides the training facilities, catering and accommodation for appointed CDPs to pursue towards NQF level 2 in Construction Contracting. Equipments- The Department Procures equipment and tools used in the routine road maintenance for the appointed CDPs Certification- competent CDPs are awarded with CETA accredited certificate through Central University of Technology and laboures are awarded with on job training and as well as job skill certificates. Human Resources - The departmental dedicated personnel are appointed within the department to run the programme. The department appoints CDPs from five regions within the province as per the need.of such region.The CDPs source the local laboures to execute the work on the ground as per the work given.

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Being the best model of its own, the Contractor Development Programme Free state is the best run programme in the country whereby it won the Center for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) awards for the Best Service Delivery Institution. The CDP has now became recognized by other Provinces within the country and are currently bench marking with Free State Provincial CDP for their best practice. Provincial local municipalities have also adapted the CDP model and practice. The provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has also adapted and even requested the Department of Police Roads and Transport CDP to assist on their relaunching of their CDP programme. The National department of Transport has furthermore shared the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport’s implementation strategy with other transport infrastructure departments in the country.

The project is sustained through the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant and Provincial Infrastructure Enhancement Allocation by the department putting aside ±10% of its allocation. also the programme is sustained by adhering to EPWP policies which qualifies the department for the extra conditional funding from National public Works which states job creation should be 55% youth, 55% women and 2% disabled, and that the job creation is targeted at the unemployed, Child headed house holds, poorest of the poor and HIV affected and infected communities, The department is in the process of outsourcing external funding. from private sectors.

The CDP is an ongoing programme with yearly budget allocation that is structured in the following manner; Theoretical training 1 for two months , Practical training 1 for four months Theoretical training 2 for two months , Practical training 2 for six months Theoretical training 3 for two months , Practical training 3 for eight months Theoretical training 4 for two months , After 26 months of the above mentioned training is completed the new intake of CDPs takes place for the same period.

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Through the departmental Annual performance Plan (APP), the CDP has always achieving the annual set target of both social and physical indicators. The CDP always manages to effectively utilize the allocated budget. Through CPSI awards criteria the CDP met all the requirements to be recognized as the best innovative programme. The CDP is evaluated by complying with the EPWP policies and Guidelines hence other Provinces and departments are bench-marking with the implementation plan of the Free State CDP.

Building capacity by investing in human resources through skills development and training in order to create a sustainable economic climate in the Free State Province. Created opportunities for previously disadvantaged persons and also actively encourage their participation in the provincial economy Minimize the level of poverty through job creation within local communities where the project is active. Successfully managed to deliver public infrastructure using labour intensive technology. Winner CPSI Awards for Best Public Service Innovation. Adaptation by other Departments, Municipalities and Provinces within the country.

Departmental Annual Performance Plan Free State Developmental Growth Stratergy National Developmental Plan implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Contractor Development Programme Policy Expanded Public Works Programme guidelines and policies

Department of Police Roads and Transport: budget allocation, appointments of CDPs and identification and allocation of projects Central University of Technology Free State: Provide training as per CETA requirements  VNA Consulting Engineers: Appointed Mentors CDP Learner Contractors: Execute the works Provincial Local Municipalities: Identifies and Compile list of laboures within their municipalities National Department of Public Works: EPWP Coordinators Department of Labour: Ensure compliance with Labour, Construction Regulations and EPWP regulations. SARS: Ensure and assist CDP with compliance of SARS regulations. Construction Industry Development Board: Ensure compliance with CIDB grading and assist with upgrading's. Capital Contractors through the 30% set aside: Main contractors sub-contracting CDPs. Anglo Zimele : provides bridging finance to the CDPs

Lessons Learned Non-compliance of the learner contractors during the theoretical training stage and construction stage in terms of occupational health and safety Act. Lack of commitment from some of the CDP Learners Lack of sufficient budget Lack of resources Poor administration of few of the projects by the learner contractors Community unrest Improvements Disciplinary and compliance committees had to be established in order to enforce compliance and gain commitment from the learner contractors. Other means of funding are needed to have a successful and consistent development programme. Contract documentation should be compiled in a manner that enforces best practice of contract administration.