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A criteria used in awarding the concession contract to N3TC was the concessionaire’s training and skills transfer programmes for the creation of job opportunities for developing contractors and SMME’s

At the signing of the contract in May 1999, it was stated that "the emphasis is not only on vocational training, but also supervisory and management training and the transfer of construction related skills with set targets to ensure compliance with tender requirements that are in line with government’s growth objectives."

Hence, the creation of economic and social empowerment and opportunities over the full concession period is an integral part of the project. In this regard, N3TC have secured the involvement of previously disadvantaged enterprises in the construction, design, operation, maintenance and upgrade of the highway. The consortium has also adopted a Human Resource Development Policy, driven by an empowerment strategy, and will also implement a programme aimed at socio-economic upliftment and development along the route.

Some R22-million has been made available over the concession period for the implementation of a structured community participation and liaison programme, skills training related to highway construction, operation and maintenance, as well as for a programme to promote broader economic and social development and creation of employment opportunities.

TOLCON, the existing operator of the toll plazas, is an empowerment company that will enter into an initial five-year contract with N3TC for the operation of all existing and new plazas.

One of the objectives of the N3TC is to maximise the number of employment opportunities offered by the project and to give communities the opportunity to participate in the project.

A specified percentage of all construction work will be allocated to Previously Disadvantaged Enterprises and individuals. Comprehensive training, supplemented by mentoring will be funded by the N3TC and provided to participants to ensure the success of the involvement programme. A total of approximately one thousand jobs will be created in the first three years alone.

N3TC has undertaken to establish and provide substantial funding for a company to be known as Zimele Investment Enterprise Company. The purpose of the company will be to undertake a programme to promote and support broader economic empowerment, social development and creation of employment opportunities. The company will operate on commercial private sector principles, and will focus, in particular, on the facilitation of associated commercial and local industrial parks development in the vicinity of the N3.