ECA(KZN)’s recent Estimating and Tendering Course equips electrical contractors with the skills needed to improve competitiveness, accuracy, and business performance.
In an increasingly competitive electrical contracting environment, the ability to prepare accurate estimates and submit high-quality tenders can often mean the difference between winning and losing work. Recognising the importance of these skills, the Electrical Contractors’ Association (SA) KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office recently hosted its Estimating and Tendering Course, bringing together industry professionals for three days of practical learning and knowledge sharing.
According to the ECA(KZN), the course was introduced specifically to address skills gaps in cost estimation, tender preparation, and tender evaluation. The objective was to provide contractors and industry professionals with the practical tools required to improve the quality of tender submissions, enhance accuracy, and ultimately strengthen business performance.
A total of 15 delegates attended the course. Participants represented various age groups and levels of industry experience, contributing to a diverse and inclusive learning environment where both established professionals and those newer to the industry could benefit from shared perspectives and real-world discussions.
The programme covered a comprehensive range of topics that form the foundation of successful tendering practices. These included estimating requirements, tender forms and enquiries, tender document formats, measuring and extracting quantities, labour costing, overhead structures, profit calculations, tender submissions, and contract control.
One of the highlights of the course was the opportunity for attendees to learn from veteran industry expert Calli Pieterse, who facilitated the training. Pieterse has more than 55 years of experience in the electrical industry and has been presenting the Estimating and Tendering Course since 1983. This course marked his last training in the ECA(SA) KZN Region.
His extensive knowledge and practical experience brought significant value to the programme, providing delegates with insights gained over decades of working within the industry. By combining technical expertise with real-world examples, Pieterse was able to make complex concepts understandable and directly applicable to everyday contracting challenges.
Feedback received from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees described the course as highly informative and praised the relevance and practicality of the content presented. Several participants who spoke to ECA(KZN) representatives following the course highlighted the value of the information shared and the engaging manner in which it was delivered.
The continued success of programmes such as the Estimating and Tendering Course reflects the ECA(SA)’s commitment to skills development and professional growth within the electrical contracting sector. As market pressures and project complexities continue to evolve, training initiatives that enhance technical competencies and business acumen remain essential for industry sustainability.
For contractors looking to improve their tendering success rate and strengthen their commercial understanding, the ECA(KZN) Estimating and Tendering Course offers a practical and proven platform for professional development.
By Florence Mabena
Publications Manager, ECA(SA)
