JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT

17 NOVEMBER 2022

Gauteng, South Africa; 17 November 2022: In a world-first collaboration, the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) and Project Management Institute (PMI) have come together to offer construction-specific learning and development to those registered under the SACPCMP. The partnership will boost the international currency of South African construction professionals

“This is the first time ever that a regulator has collaborated with PMI to create an opportunity for its industry professionals to improve the global currency of their registration,” said SACPCMP Registrar, Mr. Butcher Matutle.  “The collaboration between the two entities will open the door for international recognition for SACPCMP Registered Persons, who will benefit from undertaking learning and development that is not only construction focused, but also recognised internationally.”

PMI earlier this year launched a suite of online courses and micro-credentials to address the unique challenges faced by construction professionals.  The courses aim to improve project management skills in the construction industry and lead to PMI-CP (Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects) certification.

Wasteful Expenditure in the Construction Sector

“Annually, wasteful expenditure in the construction sector globally amounts to $1.6 trillion,” said George Asamani, PMI’s Sub-Saharan African MD.

“Our research of project management professionals working in the construction industry found that 70% of construction projects experience scope creep and a further 73% of such projects ended over budget.  These courses are designed to help construction professionals improve margins in the industry often plagued by cost overruns and project delays and is PMI’s first industry-specific solution designed for construction professionals.”

The collaboration between the two entities supports the mandate of the SACPCMP which continually looks to support learning and continuing professional development in the construction sector.  It also opens an avenue for those registered under the Council to engage in globally recognised learning that could grow their international appeal as professionals.

Global Recognition for SA Professionals

“We are excited by the multi-levelled benefits offered through this collaboration,” added Matutle.   “SACPCMP professionals will be able to access this courseware at a preferential rate and continue to develop themselves in line with international best practices, while maintaining their registration requirements.”

Matutle said that furthermore, SACPCMP applicants who need to develop their knowledge base to meet professional registration requirements will have the opportunity to do so through the collaboration: “Applicants can now select specific courses or modules that will address pinpoint-areas they may need to develop.  The long-term benefit of this will not only result in a fully competent construction industry, but also the development of additional career pathways for the Built Environment.”

PMI-CP comprises seven courses, three of which offer micro-credentials; each course explores a specific area of construction project management. The certification was developed in collaboration with construction industry leaders and consultations with project managers who face the twin challenges of balancing technology and talent.

Adapting to Change is Essential

“As with many sectors, the construction industry is seeing change.  Adapting to change is key and demands different skillsets to complete projects successfully.  PMI believes that people and their skills are critical to improving project performance,” added Asamani.

“This partnership between SACPCMP and PMI, with each partner striving for excellence in their respective specialties will create a solid platform for the construction industry to deliver better outcomes.”

South Africa is no stranger to the difficulties facing the construction industry.  However, to meet the demand of R812.5 billion worth of planned infrastructure projects over the next three years, proactive steps must be taken.

“If the South African construction industry is to leverage the massive infrastructure opportunity, it must accelerate the upskilling of construction professionals.  The PMI is positioned to equip the sector with the competencies needed, and through the collaboration with the SACPCMP, we have built a platform to ensure that the industry is strengthened through professionals who can adequately address the complex nature presented by the construction sector,” said Matutle.

The agreement was officially signed by PMI’s George Asamani, and the SACPCMP’s President, Isaac Nkosi, and Registrar, Butcher Matutle in Gauteng on the 14^th of November 2022.  Tunde Ojo-Aromokudu, President of the PMI South Africa Chapter was also present at the signing. The agreement will facilitate access for SACPCMP Registered Professionals and applicants to PMI’s CP courses and certification at a reduced rate.  Course credits will be recognised by the Council in various ways.

PMI South Africa Chapter is a wholly volunteer-managed, non-profit organisation with the sole purpose to serve local membership base and support the promotion and advancement of the project management and related professions. Through its work, the Chapter supports professional growth of the members, corporate organisations, and communities. It is one of the oldest PMI Chapters in Africa and was established in 2001.

About the PMI-CP Certification

PMI’s Construction Professional in Built Environment Projects (CP) certification courses can be taken in any order and present an opportunity for professionals to focus on topics they are most driven to explore.  Learners can either complete individual courses and earn specific micro-credentials or complete all courses in preparation for the capstone exam.  Three of the seven courses offer micro-credentials upon completion of a post-course exam. The micro-credentials award a digital badge to show the user’s mastery of the content. Each course explores a specific area of construction project management, such as communication and risk management.  The courses are:

Built Environment Project Communication Pro: This is a micro-credential opportunity, including an online course and a post-course exam, that teaches how to create a communications strategy and increase stakeholder buy-in for a construction project.

Scope and Change Order Management in the Built Environment: This course covers strategies to develop scopes, manage scope creep, and establish change order processes.

Interface Management in the Built Environment: This course teaches how to manage relationships and deliverables among project stakeholders, including improving real-time visibility and oversight and proactively mitigating risk.

Built Environment Performance and Materials Management Pro: This is also a micro-credential opportunity that teaches how to use metrics-oriented processes to increase transparency in projects, reduce waste, and proactively address global supply chain challenges.

Contract and Risk Management in the Built Environment: This course explores best practices in risk management to implement throughout the entire project lifecycle, including how to manage high-impact risks effectively.

Built Environment Technology and Innovation Pro: This is the third micro-credential opportunity focusing on how to incorporate modern technologies across various construction projects and organizations.

Execution Planning in the Built Environment: This course focuses on new planning and execution approaches to improve project outcomes at all stages of the project life cycle, including Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), Last Planner System (LPS), and more.

ENDS

For more information or media interviews, contact:

Project Management Institute Usman Aly:  PMI Regional Communications Lead, Sub Saharan Africa Email: [email protected]

The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions Natasha van der Berg:  SACPCMP Stakeholder Relations and Communications Email: [email protected]

About Project Management Institute (PMI)

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading professional organization for project management, and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals and individuals who use project management skills. Collectively, these professionals and “changemakers” consistently create better outcomes for businesses, community and society worldwide.

PMI empowers people to make ideas a reality. Through global advocacy, networking, collaboration, research, and education, PMI prepares organizations and individuals at every stage of their career journey to work smarter so they can drive success in a world of change.

Building on a proud legacy dating to 1969, PMI is a not-for-profit for-purpose organization working in nearly every country around the world to advance careers, strengthen organizational success, and enable project professionals and changemakers with new skills and ways of working to maximize their impact. PMI offerings include globally recognized standards, certifications, online courses, thought leadership, tools, digital publications, and communities.

Visit us at www.PMI.org, https://www.linkedin.com/company/projectmanagementinstitute

on Twitter @PMInstitute, or via https://www.facebook.com/PMInstitute

About the SACPCMP

The South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) is empowered by section18 of Act No.48 of 2000 to certify, register and regulate the Project and Construction Management Professions.  The SACPCMP registers professionals in 14 categories under the Construction Project Management, Construction Health and Safety and Building Inspector sectors.

For more information on the SACPCMP, visit www.sacpcmp.org.za.

To register with the SACPCMP, visit https://mychs.sacpcmp.org.za/ (Construction Health and Safety) or https://mypcm.sacpcmp.org.za/ (Construction Project Management) or https://mybi.sacpcmp.org.za/ (Building Inspectors).

For general SACPCMP-related queries, please email: [email protected]

Connect with us via:

 

Twitter: @SACPCMP

Facebook: @SACPCMP

LinkedIn: @SACPCMP Company