French version
Hydraform, Johannesburg
Monday
2 – 6 November 2026
Training Academy November 2026
220 Rondebult Rd, Libradene, Johannesburg, 1470
Hydraform Training Academy
Learn to build faster, stronger, and more affordably — in 5 days. Certified by the company that invented the method.
Watch the Academy in action — hear from past participants.
The 5-Day Hydraform Training Academy
The Hydraform Training Academy is the only place in the world where you learn interlocking block construction directly from the company that invented it. In five intensive days, you go from understanding soil and materials to producing blocks, operating the machine, and building a structurally complete wall with your own hands.
The course is split 50% classroom theory and 50% hands-on practical. Participants also receive exclusive guidance in marketing, sales, operations, and business strategy. Upon successful completion, each delegate earns an Official Hydraform Certificate of Competency.
Hydraform International pioneered the interlocking compressed earth block system over 38 years ago. Today, "Hydraform" is the generic term used across Africa for this construction method.
38+Years in operation
70+Countries reached
50/50Theory / Practical
We Didn't Just Learn This. We Invented It.
Hydraform pioneered the interlocking compressed earth block system in 1988, starting in a garage in Boksburg, Johannesburg. Over 38 years, the technology spread to more than 70 countries — and the name "Hydraform" became the generic term used across Africa for this method of construction. When you train with us, you're learning from the source.
Our building system holds Agrement Certificate 96/237, issued by the CSIR in Pretoria — the structural certification that matters to engineers, funders, and government procurement. We are registered with the NHBRC and are members of the Green Building Council of South Africa.
We don't just sell machines. We build, we train, and we partner. Read our full story →
Agrement Certificate 96/237 — CSIR, Pretoria
NHBRC Registered — National Home Builders Registration Council
Green Building Council of South Africa — Member
Shelter Afrique Award 2021 — Best Innovation in Housing Construction
SACA Public Sector Award for Excellence 2016
Intertek Registered — Quality & Safety Certification
Eco-friendly building — no kiln firing, on-site soil, minimal cement addition
NGOs & Development Organisations
- Training field teams for housing and community development
- Certification and auditable outcomes for funders
- Ideal for community-led construction initiatives
- Accommodation support and logistics on request
- 38-year track record and internationally recognised certifications
Foremen & Site Supervisors
- Learn to manage a Hydraform construction team
- Quality control and structural principles
- Practical, results-oriented curriculum
- Recognised Hydraform Certificate of Competency
Bricklayers & Construction Workers
- Hands-on from Day 1 — on a real site
- Plain English, no jargon
- 50% practical time on Hydraform machines
- Walk away with a portable, certified skill
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners
- Start a block-making or construction business
- Grow an existing construction operation
- Day 5 covers marketing, sales, and business strategy
- Save 30–40% on construction costs using on-site soil
Soil Selection & Testing
Jar test, drop test, sandy-clay loam identification, and why not all soil qualifies. You learn to source from what's already on your site — eliminating material transport costs.
Mix Design & Block Production
The 1:10 cement-to-soil ratio, adjusting for local conditions, full machine production cycle, and visual block evaluation before anything leaves the yard.
Machine Operation & Maintenance
Full operation of manual and hydraulic models. Daily and weekly maintenance schedules. Diesel engine service and hydraulic filter changes. You run the machine — not just watch it.
Block Yard Setup & Management
Production yard layout, curing and stacking, material ordering, stock monitoring, and cost calculation — the operations knowledge that turns a skill into a business.
Interlocking Block Construction
Dry-stacking — mortar on the first course only. Corners, T-junctions, X-overs, segmented walls, and ring beam. You build it with your own hands on a real structure.
Quality Control & Block Testing
When to test, how to test, and what the results mean. Block tester operation. Strength benchmarks at 7 and 14 days before blocks are used in construction.
Business, Sales & Marketing
The commercial case for Hydraform: cost modelling, sales approaches, and how to position the technology to clients, funders, or housing developers. Written exam on Day 5. Hydraform Certificate of Competency awarded on passing.
Course Format
Duration
5 days (Monday to Friday)
Location
220 Rondebult Rd, Libradene, Johannesburg, 1470
Format
50% hands-on practical / 50% classroom theory
Group Size
Maximum 15 participants per intake
Certificate
Official Hydraform Certificate of Competency on completion
Languages
English — French-speaking participants accommodated
International Attendees
We welcome participants from across Africa and beyond. Hydraform has a preferred rate arrangement with a hotel near the training centre — our team will provide details on request. Accommodation is self-booked and not included in the course fee.
⚠ Visa Requirement Notice
Attendees requiring a South African visa should enquire at least 8 weeks before their preferred course date. Hydraform can provide a letter of invitation on request.
What to bring:
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots
- Work clothing suitable for outdoor site work
- Notepad and pen
- Valid ID or passport for registration
Taught by People Who Have Built It
Every Hydraform trainer is a qualified artisan and experienced builder — trained thousands of people across Africa and beyond.
Moses Sithole
Senior Technical Trainer
29 years with Hydraform. Moses began in block production and now delivers on-site construction training to client teams across South Africa and internationally — from machine set-up and block-making through to interlocking construction.
Carlos Sigauque
Senior Technical Trainer
With Hydraform since 1995. A qualified bricklayer, Carlos has built schools, houses, workshops, hospitals and commercial structures locally and abroad, and trains client teams on-site in block production and interlocking construction.
Collins Mabatamela
Technical Trainer
Collins progressed from logistics into manufacturing and now training, supporting the senior trainers to run Academy courses and on-site programmes in block-making, quality control and construction.
Inside the Academy
Five days of hands-on block-making and interlocking construction, in Johannesburg.
We can use the earth from our own land to create a future for our children. It is about community development from the ground up.
— Elijah, Maasai Community, Kenya
When you realise you're saving 30–40% on total construction costs by using the soil on-site, the business case for Hydraform becomes very clear.
— Jason, Academy Graduate
The technical training was very complete. We saw everything — from testing the soil quality to the final laying of the blocks. I leave with great confidence to launch my construction projects.
— Patric, France
It's not just about building houses. For me, it's about learning a skill that can help build a future and empower other people in my community.
— Sarah Bukasa, Top Student, July 2023 · DRC / South Africa
Watch graduates from Ghana, Kenya, the DRC, France, and South Africa share their experience.
What is the Hydraform Training Academy?
The Hydraform Training Academy is a 5-day certified training programme held at Hydraform's headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. It covers the complete Hydraform building system — from soil selection and block production to interlocking block construction and business strategy. The course is split 50% classroom theory and 50% hands-on practical work. Participants who pass the written exam on Day 5 receive an official Hydraform Certificate of Competency.
Who should attend the Hydraform training course?
The course is designed for anyone who wants to learn or work with the Hydraform building system. This includes NGOs and development organisations training field teams for housing projects, foremen and site supervisors managing construction teams, bricklayers and artisans looking to add a certified skill, and entrepreneurs wanting to start or grow a block-making business. No prior knowledge of the Hydraform system is required.
What do you learn at the Hydraform Training Academy?
The course covers soil selection and testing, mix design and cement ratios, full operation and maintenance of Hydraform block-making machines, block yard setup and management, interlocking block construction from foundation to ring beam, quality control and block testing, and business, sales, and marketing strategy. By the end of the course, participants can independently produce blocks and construct a structurally complete interlocking wall.
How long is the Hydraform training course?
The Hydraform Training Academy is a 5-day programme running Monday to Friday. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical sessions at Hydraform's Johannesburg facility. The course runs three times per year, typically in March, July, and November.
Do I receive a certificate after completing the Hydraform training?
Yes. Participants who complete the course and pass the written assessment on Day 5 receive an official Hydraform Certificate of Competency in Hydraform building systems. This certificate is recognised internationally across the countries where Hydraform operates.
Where is the Hydraform Training Academy held?
All Training Academy courses are held at Hydraform's headquarters: 220 Rondebult Road, Libradene, Boksburg, Johannesburg, 1470, South Africa. The facility includes both classroom space and an outdoor practical training area with Hydraform machines.
How far in advance should I apply if I need a South African visa?
South African visa processing typically takes between 4 and 8 weeks, depending on your country of origin. International attendees who require a visa should submit their enquiry at least 8 weeks before their preferred course date. Hydraform can provide a letter of invitation to support your visa application on request.
What are the advantages of building with interlocking soil-cement blocks?
Interlocking soil-cement blocks — the Hydraform system — offer several structural and commercial advantages over conventional fired brick. The dry-stacking method (mortar on the first course only) significantly speeds up construction. Using soil sourced on-site reduces material and transport costs by 30–40% compared to conventional building. The blocks interlock without mortar between joints, producing a strong, level wall that any trained person can maintain. The system is Agrement-certified (Certificate 96/237, CSIR) and is in use across more than 70 countries for housing, schools, clinics, and community facilities.
Is the course available in French?
Yes. The Hydraform Training Academy accommodates French-speaking participants. Hydraform operates extensively across Francophone Africa, and course materials and trainer support are available in both English and French.