THE Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) has opened entries for the 2026 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards.
This year’s awards programme features a new Academic Excellence in the Construction and Built Environment Sector Category, created to recognise and celebrate female academics, lecturers, and researchers who are advancing resilient construction practices, sustainable infrastructure, and skills development across the sector.
“The introduction of this new category represents an important evolution for the cidb ERWIC Awards,” said cidb CEO Bongani Dladla. “We are not only celebrating contractors; we are also recognising the academics who shape knowledge, mentor the next generation and strengthen the future of women in construction. By honouring their contribution, we are deepening our transformation agenda and ensuring it is rooted in research, innovation, and sustainable development.”
“The cidb ERWIC Awards have always been about more than just recognition; it is a catalyst for change,” Dladla added. “Whether through adoption of best practice new technologies, or the pursuit of academic excellence, our goal remains the same: to foster an industry that is truly developmental, inclusive, and built to withstand the demands of the future.”
