Special Report - Built Environment

Sep 14 2006 North East Vision

Focused on skills challenges

CITB-ConstructionSkills provides assistance in all aspects of recruiting, training and qualifying the construction workforce. It also works with partners in industry and government to improve the competitiveness of the industry as a whole.

The sector skills agreement

Following extensive industry consultation and a comprehensive skills needs analysis, the four key skills challenges facing the industry - and the required actions to meet those challenges - were agreed. CITB-ConstructionSkills is focused on delivering on these challenges. In summary, these are:

Qualifying the existing workforce

• Intensifying and widening the industry's Qualifying the Workforce initiative

• Developing flexible training and qualification structures for specialist occupations

• Assisting the effective integration of immigrant workers

Recruiting qualified new entrants

• Improving understanding of the career opportunities in construction

• Increasing apprentice completions and widening opportunities for on-site practice

• Promoting diversity through local employment and training projects

• Increasing quality applications for construction-related degree courses

Improving business performance

• Increasing the number of companies investing in training

• Developing management and leadership skills

• Skills for sustainability

Infrastructure to support priorities

• Improving intelligence on skills for the future

• Qualifications and progression routes

Combating skills shortages

CITB-ConstructionSkills is combating the demand for technical trades like joiners, tilers and bricklayers, as well as professional and managerial jobs, such as architects, engineers and surveyors through many projects.

Adopting a training culture is good for business, it promotes safer onsite practices; quicker delivery; a more dedicated workforce; more contracts; a healthier bottom line and improved quality.

CITB-ConstructionSkills offer a grant to support a wide range of training, from apprenticeships and health and safety to Training and Development Plans for your whole business. CITB-ConstructionSkills can advise on how to get the most out of your workforce and the grant scheme available.

STEP into Construction

Designed as an incentive to encourage employers to increase its diversity in the workplace, STEP aims to bridge the skills gap that is evident in construction.

The total labour market, including under-represented groups, need to be engaged. CITB-ConstructionSkills can assist companies when recruiting females, black and ethnic minorities as well as the traditional workforce.

Managing Agency

CITB-ConstructionSkills places approximately 9,500 apprentices per year through its Managing Agency.

To help the employer and the apprentice through the apprenticeship, CITB-ConstructionSkills offers ongoing mentoring and support from a personal training officer as well as CITB Grant of up to £8,400 over three years, to support training.

For further information, contact Ben Dures, North East Area Manager at CITB-ConstructionSkills on (0191) 516-3900.

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CSR: a necessary evil?
By Catriona Lingwood, director of Constructing Excellence in the North-East

Corporate social responsibility: a new-age fad or an inextricable part of 21st- Century industry? Much has been said about the need to incorporate CSR in business operations. But what if it conflicts with the aims of the business? And what does it mean anyway?

Some people believe it's a stalking horse for an anti-corporate agenda, but others hold more favourable views. To give a broad definition, CSR explores how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.

For the construction industry, society's increasing awareness of the environment means CSR is becoming more important. But is CSR really a necessary evil or can it actually help the performance of companies in the built environment?

Well, the latter view has much more credence. For instance, it makes sense on a corporate and social level for all companies to have a clearly-defined and well-communicated policy on how they will reduce waste and address environmental issues. It's also a smart move to source local materials and minimise the need for road journeys to and from the construction site.

Reducing waste too is a target the Government is keen to achieve. And, just as the general public is expected to become more environmentally conscious about how they store and reduce waste, the construction industry is also expected to comply with stringent legislation that governs this issue.

Some firms operate a JIT (just in time) system, which means they order only the materials that are needed and store them safely on site. It is expected construction companies will protect the natural environment on the site and in the immediate locality where they are working. As part of the planning process, companies should at least liaise with site neighbours and minimise nuisance and disruption.

The Considerate Contractors scheme will help companies go about this in the best way. Regular meetings, the establishment of a feedback group and a commitment to protecting wildlife, nature, heritage and conservation areas is usually a good starting point to get the general public onside.

Authorities can provide advice and guidance (and in some cases grants to help companies achieve sustainable construction and development. And it's worth remembering that procuring public money is difficult in today's climate if you cannot justify how your policies demonstrate CSR and a commitment to the environment.

It is important that the region's construction industry buys into the whole concept of CSR. After all, what some people see as a wishy-washy, philanthropic gesture is actually relevant to the economic performance of the construction industry and the social wellbeing of communities. And those companies which refuse to embrace the idea will be seen as out of touch and will quickly be left behind.

For more details on Constructing Excellence in the North-East contact Catriona Lingwood on (0191) 374-6470 or email catriona@constructingexcellence-ne.org.uk

On page 4:
Farmer reaps rewards of planning expertise plus Finding ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions