Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD)

The OSD TCC is established in terms of the following sections of the Council for the Built Environment Act (No. 43 of 2000) (the CBE Act):

3. 2. promote and maintain a sustainable built environment;

3. 4. facilitate participation by the built environment professions in integrated development in the context of national goals;

3. 8. serve as a forum where the representatives of the built environment professions may discuss (iv) promotion of professional status.

4. 4. advise Government on any matter falling within the scope of the built environment, including socio-economic development, and for this purpose carry out such investigations as it or the relevant Minister deems necessary;

The OSD TCC is recognised as a sub-committee of the Built Environment Matters Committee (BEMC). The committee would also be contributing to the National Development Plan (NDP) through Government’s Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019-2024 in terms of Priority 2: Economic transformation and job creation and Priority 6: A capable, ethical and developmental state. The work of the committee is aligned to the National Development Plan Implementation Plan (NDPIP) towards skilled built environment professionals and increased ownership and participation by historically disadvantaged individuals through the Transformed Built Environment outcome of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) strategic plan.

The OSD TCC’s focus is to look into the current gaps and limitations of OSD policy and its impact on built environment professionals in the employ of public service. It also looks into the current gaps and a need to revisit the policy framework on the current OSD, as well as challenges around implementation and how it affects the built environment. The proposals are to cover reforms that will also ensure the inclusion of other professions that were left out initially when OSD originated.

Goals and Objectives:

The OSD TCC will specifically focus on the current GAPS and LIMITATIONS experienced in the implementation of the OSD policy and the retention of professionals. Key priorities for this Committee will include but not be limited to:

1. Monitor, evaluate and review the OSD for coherence and consistency of application in all spheres of Government
2. Lobby and advise on standardising salaries of registered persons to address existing disparities
3. Advice on career advancement and upward mobility
4. Advise relevant parties on linking performance monitoring to professional registration requirements
5. Advise relevant parties to reconsider the definition of professional requirement regarding “experience”
6. Advise relevant parties to permanently appoint candidates to address the salary disparities
7. Rephrase the reference to “Engineering and related qualifications” to ensure inclusion of other Built Environment (BE) academic qualifications and financial inequalities