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No matter how well a building or item of infrastructure meets its design brief, it will have failed the sustainability test if it is allowed to fall into disrepair over time. Projects commonly end at the “handover” stage and like machines, if they are not provided with planned, on-going, post-completion maintenance, they eventually end up as an unusable waste of precious resources and effort. There are many examples of this unfortunate occurrence.
All BCI projects are conceived with their sustainability firmly in mind. We have selected reliable, durable low-maintenance materials and products, combined in an aesthetically pleasing, uncomplicated design, minimising the risk and incidence of damage and break-down.
The skills and labour required for project maintenance is provided by local employees and sub-contractors trained via the BCI “Hands-on” Skills Training Programme. This provides skills not only for our projects but also maximises their employment prospects generally. This approach is in line with various skill-development initiatives convened under the umbrella of the Word Economic Forum’s Global Challenge on Employment, Skills and Human Capital.
Apart from training, the BCI Maintenance Programme provides clear local language, written and video instruction, replacement products, repair materials and the necessary tools, held in trust and managed by selected community leaders. This will also engender trust, cement and safeguard our reputation.
The governments of emerging nations have long held the view that many international companies (especially from western countries) have not done enough in the area of training and skills transfer, such that local economies have not derived sufficient employment benefit. This is now being written into many joint-venture agreements and represents one of the major goals of our initiative.
Together with BCI Manufacturing Associates and local governments, we set up manufacturing facilities in countries we operate in for future projects. This enables further cost reductions and increases affordability, eliminates ocean transit time and promotes skills development and employment.