Engineering joint venture brings national skills development strategy to life
THROUGH the GIBB and Knight Piésold Joint Venture (GKP JV), appointed for the water conveyance infrastructure component of Phase 1 of the uMkhomazi Water Project (uMWP-1), the two firms have joined forces to ensure young candidate engineers, geologists, and environmental scientists gain the mentorship and experience required for professional registration in their fields.
The initiative forms part of the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority’s (TCTA) uMWP-1 – a major water infrastructure project in KwaZulu-Natal designed to augment the uMngeni Water Supply System (MWSS) by transferring water via a tunnel and pipeline from the new Smithfield Dam on the uMkhomazi River.
According to Skills Development Manager Phumie Mayongo, the TCTA required the GKP JV to implement a skills development programme aligned with South Africa’s National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III and the Construction Industry Development Board’s B.U.I.L.D. Programme. Both initiatives emphasise developing technical and professional capacity, particularly among young black South Africans, while mandating that large infrastructure projects allocate funding toward skills and enterprise development.
“The programme includes recruitment, mentorship, and facilitation of candidates’ professional registration with bodies such as the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP),” says Mayongo.
Launched in July 2025, the programme provides graduates with mentorship and on-site experience critical to their long-term career prospects. GKP JV Project Manager, Francis Gibbons, notes that while the project focuses primarily on civil engineering, it also involves significant environmental and geotechnical work. “Wherever opportunities existed to place candidates in specialist areas, we’ve done so,” he says.
Gibbons adds that professional registration requires at least three years of practical experience under the guidance of a mentor. “Our main goal is to help candidates achieve professional status, but we also hope to retain top performers within GIBB and Knight Piésold. Leadership in both firms recognised that beyond compliance, this initiative adds real value to the industry and to society.”
He commended Mayongo’s role in driving the process forward and the TCTA’s foresight in requiring a dedicated Skills Development Manager. “We provide the mentorship and training, but the candidates must take ownership of their growth. We can support them, but their motivation and discipline are what will ultimately determine success.”
GIBB bridge professional engineer and mentor, Raeesa Khan, says professional registration typically takes four to five years and demands “patience, resilience, and hard work.” She adds: “Candidates must be willing to fail, learn, and try again. Asking questions, conducting research, and problem-solving are essential parts of the journey.”
Knight Piésold mentor, Darren Pillay, highlights communication and safety as vital skills for emerging engineers. “Mastering professional communication is key. Just as important is developing a risk-averse mindset to ensure health and safety standards are upheld during both design and construction.”
Through initiatives like this, the GKP JV is not only delivering critical water infrastructure but also helping to build South Africa’s next generation of engineering and scientific professionals.
