Uplifting local communities through employment

Impact

The Power Adenco Joint Venture is the SKA Observatory’s main construction partner in South Africa, responsible for major civil infrastructure works such as the roll-out of power, fibre and roads on site, bringing with it much-needed employment opportunities for local communities.

Power Adenco is casting the foundations for 133 dishes, as well as providing the roads, fibre and power cables to connect all dishes spread out in three spiral arms over 150 km. The infrastructure work supports the establishment of the Observatory’s SKA-Mid telescope in South Africa’s Northern Cape province. With high unemployment in the province, creating stable job opportunities is crucial to help uplift local communities.

“This prestigious project is set to benefit not only our company, but more importantly, improve the lives of the surrounding communities as well as our understanding of the Universe,” said Power Construction CEO Cobus Snyman when the contract was allocated.

Workers at the SKA-Mid site in hi-vis outfits. — Power Adenco is the main infrastructure contractor for SKA-Mid construction. Credit: SKAO/Jac Kritzinger

The Power Adenco joint venture was allocated a €53m contract, the biggest awarded by the Observatory to a South African company, which stipulates the group should spend a proportionate amount locally on providing a range of subcontract opportunities to local small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and local employment opportunities.

So far 10 SMMEs from the four towns surrounding the SKA Mid site have been appointed to help deliver various construction work packages. These opportunities include employing, training and transferring skills locally, as well as community development initiatives.

Out of a workforce of some 360 people, Power Adenco now employs 206 local community members from nearby towns, with more than 60% of them aged between 18 and 35 years, and 22% of them being women. Fourteen local transport suppliers have been appointed to facilitate the workforce’s daily commute to and from site.

"We not only want to be good neighbours to the local communities close to our telescope sites, we also want to ensure they are included in construction and benefit from the SKAO’s presence," says SKA-Mid Site Construction Director Tracy Cheetham.

"That means creating a legacy that outlives the current project, enabling people to find employment in other sectors using the skills they’ve developed here, helping to benefit the wider communities too."

The SKAO recognises and acknowledges the Indigenous peoples and cultures that have traditionally lived on the lands on which our facilities are located.