Professional Registration and Candidate Mentoring in South Africa's Built Environment: Challenges and Solutions

Candidates' articulation as registered professionals continue to be a challenge. This study examined professional registration trends and challenges concerning candidate mentorship in the South African construction industry (SACI). Data were collected through document analysis and panel discussion during a Construction Industry Conversation organised by the Association of Construction Project Managers in South Africa. The panel's composition consists of registered professionals from selected professional bodies in the construction industry. Content analysis revealed that the ratio of professionals to candidates was inadequate, with high age and gender differences. The challenges of candidate mentorship include inconsistency, unavailability of work or limited projects, insufficient exposure to practical training, unwillingness of professionals to mentor others and relationships. The structure, timing and skills (hard and soft) to be developed at various educational levels including basic education, higher education and in the workplace could contribute to effective programmes. The study informs on the trend and demographics of professional registration, candidate mentoring challenges, and proposed programmes to increase professional registration and sustain the industry.