Government departments throughout Africa do not fully understand the various construction contracts utilised in the construction industry and as such they lack the competency to effectively manage their construction projects. This results in inflated project costs and/or financial loss due to delayed project completion and countless lawsuits.

Training of project managers in the fundamentals of construction contracts aids in increasing knowledge and awareness and as such averting and/or reducing financial loss due to ineffective management of construction projects.

Although many forms of contracts exist in construction, the use of only four (4) forms of contract for construction procurement in the public sector in South Africa is mandatory as it promotes standardization and uniformity of documentation. It reduces escalation of tendering and contracting costs in the industry.

These use of the four (4) forms of contract for construction procurement also benefits the emerging contractor sector which lacks resources and capacity to constantly adapt to new forms of contract, by different clients. These forms of contracts for construction projects are also used throughout Africa and within the private sector.

The Academy has developed training modules on the four (4) standardized forms of construction contracts as follows:

• JBCC Contracts
• FIDIC Contracts
• GCC contracts
• NEC contracts

The Academy also provides training on comparisons between the four (4) forms of construction contracts as well as the dispute resolution processes relating to each construction contracts. Training, coaching and mentorship of the emerging contractor sector is also critical to enable this sector to adapt to all forms of contracts.