The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) is recognising and supporting emerging contractors within the waste sector with training and upskilling.

“With the right set of skills and relevant business knowledge, emerging contractors can not only improve their profitability, but also make valuable contributions to the success of the waste sector as a whole,” says Aubrey Muswema, chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the IWMSA.

Previous KwaZulu-Natal branch committees started the programme several years ago, where emerging contractors were invited to attend workshops and seminars at a reduced cost.

These presentations equip the entrepreneurs with vital information relevant to their business, covering topics such as financial management, procurement, tender submissions, the BBBEE rating system, legal requirements, as well as sharing with them successful SMME case studies.

Earlier this year, the KwaZulu-Natal branch committee took the decision to sponsor attendance at training and workshop events, with the intention of further assisting small and emerging contractors to get the training and mentorship they require for the successful running of their businesses.

Muswema says he is proud to be upholding the branch’s tradition of assisting emerging contractors. “We are grateful for all the contributions that our speakers make towards assisting emerging contractors and look forward to further partnerships that will grow the sector and assist our emerging entrepreneurs.”