Two young civil engineers are tackling gender inequality in the engineering sector head-on

Two young civil engineers are tackling gender inequality in the engineering sector head-on

A civil engineering company situated in Vanderbijlpark is hiring female graduates who graduated in construction or civil engineering and students needing who need hands-on experience. The masterminds behind Jam Fadge Civil Engineers, Makgotso Motsumi and Thando Sikwatsha said they would like to see the sector becoming more innovative, especially when it comes to women.

The dynamic duo believes that by empowering young women civil engineers, they can promote new thinking, green building, a diverse approach in the way construction projects are being handled and new technologies.Sikwatsha said this is done deliberately to enable young women to gain experience in what is still largely a male-dominated sector. “We are about giving young women opportunities to succeed,” she said.

Launched in 2016, Jam Fadge has employed six women, three of whom are students getting on-the-job training. “Students who are studying engineering need experiential training and we give them that. Those who have graduated often don’t have enough experience and our aim is to train them and equip them with the best skills for the industry,” said Sikwatsha.

In an effort to train young engineers, the company introduces the Jam Fadge Civil Engineers Career Path Programme. Institutions of higher learning are visited by members of the Jam Fadge team to offer mentorship, advice on choosing the right career path and assist students to choose the right civil engineering field.

“We recognize that the civil engineering industry consists of so many streams and fields and that each student deserves the opportunity to find their sweet spot,” said Sikwatsha. She added that if students find the career path that best suits their abilities, they are more likely to do well at work.

Jam Fadge Civil Engineers offers construction and renovation work, structural engineering design, general works and civil, mechanical and electrical engineering services. Their biggest project is the Zamdela and is registered to operate in Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo.