Tripartite arranged training for small scale contractors
LOCAL small scale contractors, artisans and other self-employed persons are to benefit from two four-day workshops on the preparation of accurate estimates for jobs they undertake. The training, to enhance their efficiency, profitability and competitiveness, is being offered free of charge through a tripartite arrangement involving the Government of Guyana, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB and Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF).
Starting May 31 and continuing through June 3 and, again, from June 6 to 9, the sessions will explain, to participants, the use of a computerised job estimation tool (CJET) developed by the Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services Network (CTCS).
BNTF said the CJET allows for computation of the finite cost of any project, manipulating the quality of a bid, seeing the impact of a given bid ratio on the overall cost of the bill items and estimating earning in excess of each line item.
Apart from all of the above, it would enable the bidder/contractor, as well, to maintain the option of spreading projected losses over other items comprising the bill of quantities.
Other subjects to be dealt with would include ‘Environmental and Gender Equality Cost considerations’ and ‘Management Concepts’ and promote networking among those participating, as the first phase in the establishment of a BNTF ‘Community of Practice’.
The invitation to participate emphasised that women contractors, in particular, are encouraged to register for the free programme.
BNTF said it recognises that small contractors and artisans are critical stakeholders in its infrastructure projects and the CJET programme is in recognition of the challenges faced by them in preparing estimates.
It said empowering them with the CJET would help to improve their social and economic status, the primary objective of the BNTF.
Meanwhile, the CDB, in a release, said its target is not only small contractors and artisans in Guyana but people of similar status in six other Caribbean countries, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and The Grenadines.
The CDB statement acknowledged that the efficiency of the infrastructure programme depends, to a large degree, on the knowledge, skill and management capabilities of contractors.
The CDB said, however, its experience in working with artisans and small contractors has, consistently, shown that an area of weakness is their inability to accurately and reliably prepare estimates for jobs.
“In an effort to enhance the competiveness of these artisans and small contractors, the BNTF will disseminate the simple but effective CJET which was developed by the CTCS,” the statement said.