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CIC Cascade6 December 2004
1. National agreement between Constructing Excellence and ConstructionSkills Constructing Excellence and ConstructionSkills have embarked on a new collaboration that aims to support the improvement of the construction industry by developing the skills of companies and individuals. The strategic agreement was signed on 22 November by Dennis Lenard , Constructing Excellence Chief Executive, Peter Lobban, Chief Executive CITB-ConstructionSkills and Graham Watts, Chief Executive Construction Industry Council (CIC). It sets out the framework in which Constructing Excellence and the partners that constitute ConstructionSkills, CIC, CITB-ConstructionSkills and CITB Northern Ireland, will work to deliver on the skills agenda. Whilst the national agreement is strategic and enabling, agreements at regional and devolved nation level will build upon the individual organisations’ existing regional networks to work to deliver a large proportion of the activities and results. The benefits of the partnership will be to:
Dennis Lenard , Constructing Excellence Chief Executive said: “The signing and announcements today are only the beginning and I am looking forward to useful and valuable collaborative projects with all the partners in ConstructionSkills. Constructing Excellence and ConstructionSkills are already working together on a number of initiatives, and now the agreement has been signed we will be moving forward to develop more projects.” Peter Lobban Chief Executive CITB-ConstructionSkills added: “There has never been a more exciting time for construction. This agreement is a sign that the industry is taking full advantage of the opportunities on offer to develop the leading edge skills and training we need to deliver client requirements in terms of quality time and cost. This collaboration is particularly valuable in that it operates on both a national and regional level, ensuring that strategic thinking is translated into action on the ground.” Graham Watts, CIC Chief Executive commented: “I am delighted that this marks yet another step forward in collaboration between the major bodies in the industry. We have been working together for a long time to improve the industry and maximise the opportunities for the people working within all sectors of construction and this agreement is a tangible demonstration of our future mutual commitment to eradicating fragmentation in such crucial work.” Constructing Excellence and CITB-ConstructionSkills already have a working list of key areas for collaboration:
Regional staff in both Constructing Excellence and in ConstructionSkills are working together to have action plans for co-ordinated activity in place early in the new year. For further details contact Kieran Miles at Constructing Excellence 020 7592 1135, 07976 460406 2. Altogether Stronger Conference Update Altogether Stronger was both the title and the key message of a major conference held last week by ConstructionSkills and SummitSkills – two of the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) that cover occupations in construction and the built environment. An all-star cast of speakers demonstrated the achievements of the SSCs in their first year of operation and their partnership approach to working. A high-powered audience of 180 key stakeholders and employers from throughout the UK were given feedback on the development of the Sector Skills Agreements, and an outline of future challenges as speakers stressed the need for commitment across the board if we are to meet them. Speakers included the Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, talking by video, and Ivan Lewis, Minister for Skills and Vocational Education, together with the chairmen of SummitSkills (Simon Bartley), the Construction Industry Council (Stuart Henderson), and of course Sir Michael Latham, Chairman of ConstructionSkills. Sir Michael said that the three key challenges facing the industry were the need to recruit and train sufficient new entrants, qualify the existing workforce and improve business performance through supply chain management. These are what ConstructionSkills is tackling with the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA). He said that the research to support the SSA had been done, consultation with the industry had happened, negotiations with partners are taking place, and we are on target for submitting the finished agreements to the Government in the New Year. The whole point of a Sector Skills Council, he said, is to give employers a powerful voice in identifying and shaping skills requirements for the industry. But listening to what employers are telling us isn’t sufficient on its own. If we are to deliver the step change in training which the construction industry must achieve to remain competitive and to meet those three challenges, we must embed a new culture of training right throughout the supply chain. "I have been very heartened by the commitment that has been shown to what we are trying to achieve in this regard – commitment from clients, federations, professional institutions, trade unions, the major contractors, and the house builders. We have also achieved commitment for our plans from the government, both in Whitehall and the Devolved Administrations, in bodies such as English Heritage and the Environment Agency, and their equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland . But to be truly successful the SSA will need to secure further commitment from the suppliers and funders of training – Government and its agencies, colleges and universities. We are looking for government to:
Delegates also took part in a series of discussions based around the three key themes of improving business performance, image and recruitment and the qualified workforce initiative. Stuart Henderson of the CIC summed up the feedback and some of the questions posed were put to the panel, which included Ivan Lewis MP and Peter Lobban. Transcripts of the conference speeches and the Q&A sessions are available on www.constructionskills.net Karen Turton has become the first female registered Approved Inspector. CIC ’s Approved Inspectors Register (CIC AIR) is the body
designated by government for approving inspectors. Individual and
Corporate Approved Inspectors registered with CIC AIR are qualified
to undertake building control work in accordance with section 49
of the Building Act 1984 and the Building Approved Inspectors etc.)
Regulations 2000 (as amended). Karen, who is setting up her own company, Turton Building Control Ltd in Nottingham , said
Richard Biggs , CIC AIR Registrar and the Director of Policy Development for CIC said: There are currently 53 Approved Inspectors on the Register, of which 24 are individuals and 29 are corporate. A full list of these plus details on how to become an Approved Inspector can be found at www.cic.org.uk 4. ConstructionSkills workshops ConstructionSkills is holding a number of workshops designed to deliver collaborative action plans on the Sector Skills Agreement priority issues highlighted at the Altogether Stronger Conference held on 23 November. Final details will be circulated in the next few weeks. To register interest in any of these events visit http://www.constructionskills.net Improving Business Performance
Qualifying the Workforce
Recruiting Qualified New Entrants
In addition events will also be held across Scotland , Wales , Northern Ireland and the English regions. To register interest in any of the workshops please visit http://www.constructionskills.net ConstructionSkills is a partnership between CIC, CITB-ConstructionSkills and CITB(NI) as the Sector Skills Council for construction 5. Call for entries – ICW Building on Quality Awards 2005 Applications are now being invited for the ICW Building on Quality Awards 2005. The Institute of Clerks of Works has, for the past 15 years, conducted biennial awards that recognise the skills and abilities of Clerks of Works (or those of similar calling) within the construction process. The contribution of these highly skilled and experienced individuals cannot be over-emphasised. Working primarily for the client, it is their knowledge and diligence that ensure, through rigorous and detailed inspection and reporting, that value for money in terms of both materials and workmanship is achieved. Applications are invited from those whose projects have (or will have) achieved practical completion between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2004 , in the following categories:
Clients, professional practices, contractors, developers or individuals involved in the project, may make nominations. For a nomination form or to register your interest in the Awards, please contact The Institute of Clerks of Works on 01733 405160, email info@icwgb.co.uk, or visit the ICW website at http://www.icwgb.org/Awards.htm 6. ACE launches new focus as business association for consultancy and engineering Over 200 industry and business figures gathered in London’s Docklands on 23 November 2004 to hear AC launch its new focus for the future as the business association for consultancy engineering. The plans have been developed following extensive consultation with ACE’s stakeholders, and after a comprehensive review of ACE activities. “It’s the culmination of 18 months work” commented Nelson Ogunshakin, ACE Chief Executive. “It’s a new direction, a new emphasis for consultancy and engineering that better reflects our role in society today”. Based on the consultation exercise and an internal review, a new business plan has been developed and agreed by the ACE Board. The key objective emerging for the consultation was the repositioning of AC as the business association of choice for all those engaged in consultancy and engineering in the built and natural environment. The business plan underpins the repositioning of the association. As part of the repositioning, the ACE initials remain, but in the new organisation, represent the Association for Consultancy and Egnineering. A subtle change, but when viewed alongside a new strap line ‘consultancy engineering business environment’ there is a clarity in emphasis for the association. A new ‘brand’ and logotype has also been introduced which, allied with the refined name and associated strap line, serve to reinforce the key sectors covered by ACE’s activities and membership. Ongunshankin said: “There will be significant changes for ACE and our plans for the future means a different type of organisation. Our members and the industry need a vibrant, dynamic and representative body. The services the ‘new’ ACE offers will be more focused, “ he continuted, “In a diversifying industry we are reflecting a wider range of sectors better through enhanced communications and our ability to respond more quickly to issues.” “The future for the ACE is bright,” said Ongunshankin. “We are a growing organisation, better connected with the industry we serve and we can now provide real value to our members in promoting their businesses in the UK and internationally.” Visit http://www.acenet.co.uk for further information 7. CIOB Provide ‘Accreditation in Adjudication’ The CIOB is the first industry organisation to provide accreditation in adjudication. As a guardian of standards and values the CIOB maintains the highest quality of adjudication expertise. Adjudication can only be successful, if practitioners deliver decisions to the maximum standard and maintain the highest levels of professional credibility. In 2003, the Dispute Resolution Programme Committee (DRPC), a member committee of the CIOB, reviewed the CIOB adjudication training programme and agreed that there should be recognition for candidates who have undergone adjudication training. ‘CIOB Accredited in Adjudication’ is an attractive ’qualification’ to those practising as Adjudicators, claims consultants advising clients on the process and those clients involved in adjudication. Neil Burton Chair of DRPC said,” Adjudication is proving to be very complex and the consumers of the process need to know that those they are instructing are sufficiently experienced to handle what is involved. The CIOB process of initial accreditation and a bi-annual review to retain accreditation will mean that the ‘CIOB Accredited in Adjudication’ qualification sets and maintains high standards for those involved in disputes.” The CIOB has been an Adjudicator Nominating Body since the onset of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, and is considered one of the best trainers of adjudication in the industry. 8. Events The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details. Events recently added include: 15 – 17 April 2005 , The Institute of Clerks of Works Annual Conference 2005 – “Constructing for a Lifetime”, Glasgow |
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