Accelerated Development Program
The country is facing an acute shortage of civil engineering skills and experience. This shortage is not confined to South Africa and is not likely to abate in the near future. J&G have, therefore, looked at longer–term solutions to the problem and have focused on the development of the younger staff.
Experience can, by definition, only be gained over time, but skills can be fostered, and it is to this end that we initiated the J&G Accelerated Development Programme, or ADP. The aim of the programme is to accelerate the learning curve of selected young professionals in terms of technical, management and general skills and knowledge. It does not replace or affect the company’s ongoing commitment to the training, development and mentorship of all its staff.
In order for the ADP to have the necessary focus, participants were selected from the ranks of graduate staff below the age of 35 years who are either registered, or have applied for registration, as professional engineers, professional technologists or professional natural scientists. Eight participants were selected for the first ADP cycle, which started in September 2006. The selection criteria included factors such as age, performance, recognition of initiative in the workplace, attitude and compliance with employment equity guidelines.
Each cycle of the programme will run over two years and the selected group will progress together for the duration of the cycle. This will foster closer working relationships among the participants.
The programme takes the form of concentrated modules of lectures and workshops in various offices of the company. There is an emphasis on experiential learning and group work in real work situations and in an environment where the participants are forced to develop and test their abilities. In between the formal modules, mentoring takes place in the participants’ home offices or sites. The participants are also given specific assignments to complete.
J&G prides itself on the continuing development of staff and has mentors who are registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. This assists in our commitment to ensuring that graduates obtain professional registration in the shortest possible time, without compromise with regard to quality and experience.
