EES Africa (Pty) Ltd has been awarded a Level Two Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment rating.  This significant milestone for the company is the outcome of an ongoing journey of transformation comprising dedicated and concerted effort in implementing a comprehensive B-BBEE strategy exclusive to the company.      

EES, an ISO 9001:2008 certified company, provides management, engineering and auditing services, and specialises in the integration of multiple system infrastructure.  The company’s value proposition focuses on translating technology into tangible deliverables for its clients through the experience of its team of Engineering and ICT Consultants and Project Managers.

The four key B-BBEE elements which EES, classified as an Exempted Micro Enterprise, has chosen to focus on are preferential procurement, as well as skills, enterprise and socio-economic development. “Fundamental to our strategy is an ongoing Graduate Programme we have developed to help facilitate the recruitment and training of Previously Disadvantaged Individuals from technikons and universities across the country,” explains Bradley Hemphill, Managing Director of EES.  Successful candidates have already assumed positions as Engineers, Junior Project Managers, Draughtsmen and Business Analysts in the company.  EES is also in the process of recruiting further B-BBEE employees. “Our national footprint has enabled us to reach out to different disadvantaged communities within South Africa who otherwise would have no access to programmes such as our Graduate Programme,” says Hemphill.  “We also encourage successful candidates to give back to their communities by mentoring other individuals.”   

The training of PDI candidates and the advancement of skills is not only of benefit to employees, but also to EES as a company, its clients and stakeholders “In the next three years we aim to train, groom and promote our Graduate Programme candidates into Management positions within EES.  Our five year plan is then to make shareholding available in the company to employees as individuals or in group schemes.” Hemphill explains that as part of the EES policy to empower its staff, it is essential to the company to have an environment which supports and enables its employees to venture out into unfamiliar territory.  “We encourage our people not to limit themselves in terms of what they can do within their particular skill set, but to explore all aspects of their potential tackle and learn new fields of proficiency.”

While EES is proud to have been awarded a Level Two rating, Hemphill stresses that B-BBEE is a concept that goes far beyond a rating system.  “We support responsible corporate governance, and believe it is vital for all companies and organisations in South Africa to make a real and meaningful contribution to employment equity in this country.  It is essential we contribute to skills development, as well as to sustainable economic empowerment and growth.”

Hemphill concludes: “I believe skills development and economic empowerment are crucial to transforming South Africa and overcoming the challenges with which the country is faced.”