KZN Public Works plans artisan recruitment to reduce outsourcing costs

KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Public Works says it plans to recruit new artisans as part of efforts to cut spending on outsourcing and expand local employment for skilled workers. Martin Meyer, the province’s MEC for Public Works, announces the move and outlines that the recruitment will bring additional artisan capacity into the department. The stated goal is to reduce reliance on outsourced services, with the department positioning the intake as a way to lower costs while also creating opportunities for workers with trade skills within the province. The announcement frames the recruitment as part of broader operational planning by the public works portfolio, focusing on staffing and service delivery through in-house expertise rather than external contractors. The information provided across the available reporting is limited to the department’s intentions and the employment rationale, with no specific figures, timelines, or details about which trades are included in the recruitment drive.