Picture: DPWR Head of Department in North West, Moses Kgantsi/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
31 March 2026 – The North West Department of Public Works and Roads is taking decisive steps to strengthen its long-term technical and professional capacity by reviewing its policy framework for the training and development of candidates and professionals within the department.
This strategic initiative follows an engagement led by the Head of Department (HOD), Moses Kgantsi at Seasons Wedding and Conference Centre in Mahikeng on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, with aspiring candidates and built-environment professionals, where the need for a structured, adequately funded professional development pipeline was highlighted as critical to the future of infrastructure delivery and service excellence.
Kgantsi said the policy review seeks to establish a sustainable framework to guide mentorship, workplace exposure, professional registration and the retention of scarce built-environment skills within the public sector. He further said these include professions such as engineering, quantity surveying, project management, and related technical disciplines that are central to the department’s service delivery mandate.
“Currently, the department has 24 candidates and has identified the need to intentionally build a pool of professionally registered candidates and professionals from within its own ranks.
“This intervention is expected to significantly improve the department’s ability to attract and retain technical professionals, reduce overreliance on external consultants, and ensure institutional memory and expertise remain within government,” said Kgantsi.
He added that the policy review initiative has long-term plans for the department. Kgantsi said they are deliberately laying the foundation for a professional and self-sustaining technical workforce within the department.
“By reviewing our policy framework and aligning funding toward candidate development and professional registration, we are investing in the future of public sector infrastructure delivery.
“Our intention is not only to attract scarce built-environment skills, but to retain them within government so that our communities continue to benefit from institutional expertise, continuity, and quality service delivery,” he said.
Kgantsi said the envisaged policy reforms will position the department as an employer of choice for young professionals and experienced practitioners, who are committed to serving communities of the North West.
The Guardian 