News


Labour brokers can help IPPs meet skills requirements

July 2022 News


Wayne Alcock.

As the energy crisis continues and load shedding intensifies, South Africa is desperate to see the finalisation of projects that will add emergency generation capacity. However, delays created by a court challenge to the emergency power programme has delayed the provision of 2000 megawatts of electricity to the national grid by several months.

Given the urgency of the situation, we can afford no further delays. With Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) due to open soon, there will be numerous projects all looking at recruiting local resources. To carefully balance the dire need to ease pressure on the national electricity grid with an increased demand for skilled resources to complete, run and maintain emergency and alternative generation capacity projects, labour brokers can be instrumental.

Timing is critical

As emergency generation projects scramble to get back on track and Bid Window 5 of the REIPPPP commences, project timelines will overlap and there will be a huge surge in the requirement for skills and labour for renewable energy projects. Local skills in rural communities where these projects are based will be in high demand, along with the necessary niche competencies such as electrical and mechanical engineers.

Recruiting the right skills locally and on-boarding the labour force required for each phase of each project is time consuming and costly, particularly from a payroll, human resources and legal perspective. The independent power producers involved will have little margin for error and will be hard-pressed to meet project deadlines.

To expedite timelines, it will be necessary to bring out the big guns. Outsourcing the labour component of these projects will be the most cost-effective and time-efficient way of ensuring that these projects are completed successfully without further undue delay.

Skills and labour demands

As with any new project, it will be difficult for IPPs to assemble the teams required. In terms of skills required to work on renewable energy plants, broadly speaking, there will be a massive need for management, electrical and structural engineering skills, particularly electrical and mechanical engineering. Ancillary skills that will be required include planners, quantity surveyors, as well as health and safety officers to ensure that operations are compliant with the applicable regulations. Most sought-after skills will include electricians, particularly those with experience working on PV solar farms.

Challenges for independent power producers

Finding the skills necessary will be challenging for IPPs, given South Africa’s current skills shortage. Recruitment is not IPPs’ core business, and the work is likely to take place in remote areas. On the other hand, labour brokers have networks in all industries across the country, which will make it easier to source the manpower needed for these projects. The use of labour brokers also provides the necessary flexibility to match skilled individuals to fixed-term projects and will enable the same skills to be applied wherever they’re needed.

With experience already garnered in previous bidding rounds, and from working on other private alternative energy generation projects, labour brokers in this sector have established a system that works quickly and favourably, particularly in remote areas where local cooperation is required. Labour brokers are also experienced at community engagement and can easily handle recruiting and on-boarding sufficient labour, even where the headcount runs into the thousands.

Hand over the headache

In addition to handling every time-consuming aspect of recruitment, labour brokers will also make short work of the legal and payroll processes, as well as any required induction, training or medical assessments. Making use of a labour broker also ensures uniformity of working conditions – everyone gets paid at the same time and is subject to the same rules and disciplinary procedures.

Ultimately, when the success of every project depends on time and skills, labour brokers are the most effective mechanism to source the right people for large, complex engineering and construction projects.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.

Read more...
SA company uses AI to break the language barrier
News
Helm has a unique approach to AI that allows it to automate customer communication in any of South Africa’s 11 official spoken languages.

Read more...
From ground to compound: the journey of crude oil
Wearcheck News
You’re in for a ‘crude awakening’ when you download WearCheck’s latest Technical Bulletin. You will be treated to an in-depth explanation of the processes of producing oil, fuel and other petrochemical wonders that power our modern lifestyle.

Read more...
2025 – a year for growth, amid industry challenges
News
Automation is rapidly emerging as a catalyst for industrial transformation, enabling businesses to meet sustainability targets, enhance productivity and drive economic efficiency.

Read more...
From the editor's desk: Something completely different
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control) News
The Africa Automation Technology Fair is around the corner, and RX Global is ramping up its efforts to make the 2025 exhibition one to remember. More information can be found in their advertisement ...

Read more...
KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition helps drive economic growth
News
The upcoming Africa Automation Technology Fair will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and innovators to chart Africa’s automation future.

Read more...
Inside the expanded plant at Fuchs Lubricants
News
Fuchs Lubricants South Africa recently introduced customers to its new expanded Isando facility. Manufacturing executive, Thami Mzolo says that it is the most efficient plant built and upgrade he has ever been involved with.

Read more...
Justice Malala to talk at exclusive breakfast
News
South Africa’s economic recovery and industrial growth depend on policy reform and business innovation. Few commentators are better placed to explore these challenges than Justice Malala.

Read more...
Beyond the exhibition: AATF 2025 Conference lineup brings exclusive
News
While the Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) 2025 exhibition floor will showcase cutting-edge automation solutions, the real game-changing insights will be found within the conference halls.

Read more...
How to claim CPD points
SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council News
SAIMC makes it possible for you to claim CPD points for attending courses and technical meetings, or completing an online quiz on a SA Instrumentation & Control magazine.

Read more...