All technical staff working in Ashghal projects is required to be technically certified with specific competency level that enable the achievements of the assigned task in a competent way. The scope of Ashghal certification program includes all technical staff and engineers working in Ashghal projects contracts, supervision consultants, contractors and testing laboratories.
Ø Contractors
Contractors Should View Training
as an Investment in Success, Contractors must continually seek out new information,
learn from others and take advantage of training opportunities as often as they
can to remain competitive.” Those
construction contractors who are most successful view training as a necessary
and beneficial investment in their business and point to numerous reasons why
the investment is worthwhile:
- Improves safety – They acknowledge that the safety of their workers is critical. The right
training can ensure that the equipment is operated correctly and that
health and safety practices are being followed in the workplace.
- Improves productivity – It
makes sense and is proven that well-trained employees are more confident
in their abilities to perform their work. The right training gives workers
the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their work to the best of
their ability, thus increasing productivity and quality of the results.
- Keeps current with technology – The pace of technology changes and advancements in construction come fast
and furious. Regular training means the business and employees don’t get
left behind and they stay working at their best, both today and in the
future.
- Attracts and retains key employees – In
today’s market, contractors cannot afford to hire or carry workers who are
not competent or are firmly on a path to proficiency. Training and development
programs not only attract workers, they can engage current employees and
keep them committed to the company.
- Gives company and workers the edge – Training employees can provide a genuine competitive advantage over
competition. The only way to be better than competitors is by employees
being better than the rest and training is a direct route to achieving
this.
Ø The construction site supervisor's role
Construction
site supervisors are responsible for directing the execution of basic
construction project work operations, as well as for communicating the
project’s objectives and goals to the workers. They are in permanent contact
with site personnel, responding to their needs and observing and checking their
performance. Also, supervisors must implement general planning guidelines at
the construction work level, serving as a nexus between the site manager and
the workers. This requires that supervisors prepare work plans and communicate
them to the workers charged with their execution. Due to their close involvement
with site activities, supervisors’ management efforts impact directly on the
productivity and final quality of the work they are responsible for. Their
performance is thus of particular importance for achieving a project’s
objectives.
Among the most important deficiencies currently
encountered in the construction sector as regards site supervisors, we may
mention the following:
·
A lack of
formal training to qualify site supervisors for taking on supervisory
responsibilities.
·
There is no an
official supervisor job definition to orient their training.
·
Current
training activity is insufficient to supply the number of supervisors required
by the market.
· The lack of
appropriate training for site supervisors increases construction costs due to
their inability to carry out work planning, communicate effectively with
workers or properly direct work activities.
·
Inappropriate
supervisory personnel selection processes. Supervisors tend to be workers with
experience in site work and strong personalities that set them apart from their
fellow workers, but without formal knowledge or training in management skills.
·
There is no
national qualification system that evaluates and certifies site supervisors.
· Their skill
qualification levels are set by each individual company, thus creating a supply
of supervisors that is neither uniform nor comparable.
Ø Laboratories certifications
Certification of testing
laboratories is critical to the construction industry. It validates the test
results upon which important decisions with significant financial impact are
made. The key benefits are the assurance of:
·
Qualifications,
training and experience of staff
·
Equipment
and instruments are appropriately calibrated and maintained
·
Sustainability
of calibrations
·
Validity
and appropriateness of the methods
·
Adequate
quality assurance and quality control procedures associated with the laboratory
procedures
·
Appropriate
sampling, handling and sample transportation practices
·
Accurate
recording and reporting of data
·
Appropriate
testing environment (facilities, etc)
·
Traceability
of measurements and calibrations to the correct standards
·
Appropriate
application of method uncertainty considerations
·
Overall,
laboratory certification results in an enhanced confidence in testing results
which in turn leads to fewer disputes during construction projects
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