Development of a project company using mini excavators and a network of small enterprises in the telecom and utility market A few years ago, the applicant noticed that in South Africa the digging of trenches was done by hand. In the Netherlands mini excavators are used for this purpose and NMH is one of the companies specialised in this business, contracting independent entrepreneurs (ZZP-ers) to do the actual work. He tried to set up a similar business in South Africa, but encountered serious problems and realised that just training to use the excavators was not sufficient to prepare the people to become entrepreneurs. This lead to this project, introducing a new business model to South Africa with a network of small enterprises, including intensive training.A joint venture will be set up, which will train black South Africans to run a small enterprise in excavation works for the telecom and utility sector. The joint venture will train the people and, if found suitable, it takes care of all the paper work for them to start an enterprise, a hire purchase contract for a mini excavator, car and trailer for transport, sales contracts etc. During the first two years the entrepreneur will have a job contract with the joint venture.The joint venture will spend a lot of time and effort to train the people in a range of subjects, from technical skills, safety, health and environment, personal management skills and (starting) enterprise skills. The joint venture will pre-finance the mini-excavator, the car and the trailer. Once the concept is proven, banks will be approached for the pre-financing.The pilot project will take place in the Cape Town area.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture strives to create a healthy and creative working environment both internally and externally.The joint venture will implement ISO 9000 and VCA (Veiligheid, Gezondheid en Milieu Checklist Aannemers) procedures and aims at reducing energy and water consumption, placing reuse collection bins. In their HR policy the joint venture commits itself to conducting its business fairly, honestly and transparently, not making or offering bribes, nor accepting bribes and developing a programme to implement and support these principles.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsBy the end of the project the joint venture will directly employ 22 people. Furthermore, 9 small entrepreneurs will have established their own business and 135 people will be employed as ground workers by these entrepreneurs.Two years later these numbers will be up to 36 employees in the joint venture, 35 small enterprises, plus 359 jobs for employees of these small enterprises.Salaries will be at least 125% of minimum wage. The Dutch VCA standards will be implemented by the joint venture, a HR policy will apply. A healthcare insurance will be provided to employees as part of the social package, covering both the employee and his or her children and spouse. During the training period free lunches, coffee and tea will be offered to staff and trainees.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe knowledge on how to use a mini excavator to dig trenches in large infrastructural projects is new. More important than the technical skills is the knowledge of the project approach. Learning how to start and run your own business with the use of a mini excavator is a new aspect in South Africa. The project will prepare the trainees to become small entrepreneurs.•	Chain effectsThe main chain effect of the project is the establishment of 9 small enterprises by the end of the pilot phase and the set-up of a training programme and infrastructure in other cities to further increase this number. Furthermore, by introducing mini excavators into the telecom and utility market the production speed of these projects will increase, so projects can be executed a lot faster.•	Position of womenThe aim of the project partners is to have at least 50% of trainees to be women. For the administrators and engineers they aim for 70% women. Of the three top managers of the joint venture, one will be a woman.Furthermore, the joint venture will support the female employees by offering a separate space to take care of the children, a 6 weeks parental leave (not for trainees) and childcare for children up to the age of 4. To set up a new business model in excavation works with a network of small entrepreneurs using mini excavators for infrastructural activities in the telecom and utility market, resulting in 9 new enterprises by the end of the project.