Bergstan SA has adopted the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management procedures, and was certified in 2002 by the SABS - our certification was last renewed in May 2008.

Personnel

Bergstan SA has a staff complement of 80 people and qualifies as an SMME in terms of the National Small Business Amendment Act (Act No. 26 of 2003).

Developmental projects

Over the last decade or so, our work has led to an increased understanding and awareness of the issues involved in the provision of low income housing and the opportunities presented by community-based construction methods for transferring skills to recipient communities. The change in the moral, social and political dynamics which had begun in the early 1990s, when coupled with the 'people skills' of our staff, as well as their technical and managerial skills and abilities, led to Bergstan SA being at the forefront of many development initiatives. Two in particular are the Khayelitsha Strategic Management Plan (SMP) and the Lwandle Hostels-to-Homes project, both of which have won awards.

Awards

Projects undertaken by the firm have been recognised through over 30 awards from organisations such as:

• The South African Institution of Civil Engineering
• The South African Association of Consulting Engineers
• The South African Institute of Steel Construction
• The South African Property Owners' Association, and others.

A broader contribution: much more than engineering

We have a long tradition of non-discrimination and have continually employed and advanced staff on the basis of merit alone. We have a policy document, drawn up by a broad cross-section of our personnel, which guides our affirmative action and human resource development decisions. We have advanced many engineers and technicians from disadvantaged groups.

Currently more than fifty per cent of our staff are from previously disadvantaged groups. Our Skills Development Plan for the period up to March 2007 was submitted and accepted, with staff training costs comprising 1.0% of the total salary bill. In addition, we have a history of bursaries and other financial assistance to candidates especially from previously disadvantaged communities who are either working for the company or have no link to the company but need assistance.

Although our donations policy is targeted at financial support for universities, technikons and technical colleges, we also sponsor many community groups for specific needs. A further capacity-building initiative by the firm is the provision of work experience by means of job shadowing for recently qualified students and participation in events that promote engineering and expose young students to this industry.

SABS Certificate of Registration

Click image to enlarge