Professionalism, quality and reliability are crucial to the reputation and success of companies which are active in the building industry. To this end, the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC), a registered trade association for employers in the building industry, invites like-minded companies in the industry to join their ranks. “The MBAWC insists that its members conduct their business in a thoroughly professional manner at all times and work to the highest possible standards, aesthetically, technically and ethically,” says MBAWC executive director, Allen Bodill.
“By using an MBAWC member, consumers can have a measure of confidence, that the appointed contractor has been independently vetted with regard to their expertise, experience and qualifications.” MBAWC membership is comprised of some 400 companies in the Western Cape who handle some 70% of all the building work in Cape Town. They encompass builders, building subcontractors, building merchants and suppliers and manufacturers of building products. By becoming MBAWC members, companies subscribe to a Code of Practice, which sets out ethical business principles that they agree to uphold.
Under this Code, Members of the Master Builders Association are expected to conduct their business in a just and honourable manner. They must maintain a high standard of business integrity in their dealings with clients, members of the professions, other contractors and subcontractors, suppliers and employees. Furthermore, MBAWC members are expected to organise their business administration effectively, maintain adequate financial resources for the proper discharge of all their contractual obligations and assist, wherever possible, with the training of the future skilled manpower needs of the industry. They must also be registered with the Building Industry Bargaining Council and comply with all of the terms and conditions of employment as set out in the BIBC collective agreement, as negotiated from time to time between the employer body and the trade unions.
Benefits of membership include skills training for members’ employees in various categories, ranging from cadets and apprentices to supervisors and foremen. The Association also provides formal tertiary education bursaries at both the Universities of Technology, as well as the traditional Academic Universities offering courses in the built environment disciplines. MBAWC also provide their members with advice on contractual issues and labour relations matters, as well as on-site Occupational Health and Safety training for their employees.
In addition, through the activities of the various MBAWC specialist sub-committees, members are able to interact with members of the Built-Environment professions and are represented on a number of local and national forums, such as the National Home Builders Registration Council, the Construction Industry Development Board, The Joint Building Contracts Committee and the Building Industry Bargaining Council, amongst others. “For those companies that make use of all the services and benefits that the Association offers, being an MBAWC member can create a partnership of great mutual value. We campaign tirelessly for continually higher standards, to ensure the future of the building industry in the Western Cape and we invite all companies, large and small, to join us in pursuing this aim,” concludes Bodill.
To become an MBAWC member, visit http://mbawc.org.za/howtojoin.htm to submit your application.
