The Power Group celebrates 25 years of operation
Published in Government Digest, July 2008

The Power Group, specialists in civil services, road works, pipelines, earthworks and concrete works, general building as well as turnkey residential developments, celebrate their 25th year in operation this year. To commemorate this milestone, and reaffirm their purpose of improving the lives of Africans through infrastructural development, the Power Group have created a broad based Black Empowerment structure which will serve to empower their employees.

The co-ownership offer was extended to employees of The Power Group who had been serving the company for five years or longer. 420 new shareholders are now entitled to profit share in The Power Group. Ownership of The Power Group now resides with three shareholders; Power Group Holdings, with 70% interest; the Power Group Employee Trust, with 20% interest; and the Power Group Investment Trust, with 10% interest.

In conjunction to this the Power Group has an intensive development programme which uplifts previously disadvantaged individuals through training. All staff are entitled to internal and external accredited training courses, and The Power Group are actively involved in the SAFCEC's Construction Centre of Excellence (CCOE) in the Western Cape, where together with educational institutions, they develop the skills of young learners.

Further setting the Power Group apart is their commitment to their female staff complement, "The Group is serious about the empowerment of women and substantial progress has been made in diversifying the workforce," says Marlene Cronje, Organisational Development Director at Power Group.

Approximately 50% of the women employed are operational staff, working as engineers, technicians, surveyors, whilst the rest are employed in the services professions. Previously disadvantaged women are given preference.

There are a number of additional upiiftment and empowerment programmes which fall under the Power Group Corporate Social Investment umbrella, all of which are in line with their broad vision for an "Unashamedly Ethical" company. The Power Group's pledge is a long-term business objective, with definite processes and courses of action put in place to ensure its fulfilment, long after passing the 25-year milestone that the company is celebrating this year.