History
Virtual Consulting Engineers was established in 1999 as a professional project management consultancy under the name “Virtual Buro”. The organisation flourished through its effective networking model, providing an almost limitless variety of professional services in the built environment. As a result, several spinoff companies evolved from this organisation. At Virtual Consulting Engineers, we remain true to our core value of a user-centric approach in the repair, upgrade, and maintenance of infrastructure. We own our clients’ problems like our own.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
We offer fully fledged multidisciplinary technical services and project implementation expertise. We are skilled in civil-, structural-, electromechanical-, and process engineering, building technology, quantity surveying, facilities- and project management. We apply this broad suite of expertise in specialist assignments, to provide solutions to roads and stormwater infrastructure, water supply and wastewater treatment systems, aviation refuelling systems, land ports of entry, military bases, schools, health facilities, prison facilities, multipurpose government buildings and public housing. To satisfy multiple and complex needs, the scope of projects is best defined within the two-dimensional morphology of the system life cycle / hierarchy. In our approach to problem solving, we ascend the formal structure of data-information-knowledge-insight. The capabilities of our project teams are cultivated through a continual definition and focus on the essence, at any location, and for the project duration. Ultimately, our work ethic assumes accountability beyond discipline.
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Virtual Consulting Engineers has been certified in the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System. At every stage of the project life cycle, from Inception, Concept and Viability, Design Development, Documentation and Procurement, Construction Supervision and Contract Administration to Project Close-Out, we implement our key business processes, along with internal and external peer review. We expect to exceed our clients’ expectations, which is fundamental to the company’s long-term success. We also maintain a clear Professional Liability claim record, ever since founding the company. As we maintain or improve our productivity continuously, we understand that striving for excellence means we must always do better yet.
BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Virtual Consulting Engineers is a majority Black-owned enterprise, including ownership by Black women, which is also reflected by our board and senior management. Through our employment equity policy, our staff include all racial groups and represent the cultural diversity of South Africa by speaking all the official languages. In addition, through our targeted procurement policies, skills development, and social investment, we are rated as a level 1 B-BBEE contributor. United in our diversity, we care for each other like family.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Through our Social Responsibility Programme, we empower the communities where we operate by partnering with educational institutions. We also engage with emerging businesses through our Enterprise Development Programme. Our approach to sustainability adds value to our projects by improving the lives of end-users and communities involved.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Virtual Consulting Engineers embrace the philosophy of lifelong learning, to continuously improve ourselves in everything we do. Through our vocational training and mentoring programmes, we share and improve our collective knowledge continuously, ensuring skills transfer and succession planning. This is augmented by Continuous Professional Development courses, and bursaries to pursue post graduate qualifications. Confident that yesterday’s achievement is today’s norm, we share our know-how with clients and contractors alike.
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION AND ASSOCIATION
Our principals and associates are professionally registered with the following statutory councils:
- Engineering Council of South Africa (Act 46 of 2000)
- South African Council for the Architectural Profession (Act 44 of 2000)
- South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (Act 48 of 2000)
- South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (Act 49 of 2000)
- South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Act 27 of 2003)
We are voluntary members of the following organisations:
- Consulting Engineers South Africa
- South African Institution of Civil Engineering
- Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa
- South African Facilities Management Association
- Association of Construction Project Managers
- Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa
- Water Institute of Southern Africa