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CIC Cascade7 July 2006
1. Comments invited on new CIC Consultants’ Contract The CIC Consultants' Contract (or ‘Cons Con’) is a standard form of contract for the appointment of consultants. It is intended to be used by experienced clients working with experienced consultants on major construction projects. In preparation for the publication of the contract (hopefully later in the year), an Exposure Draft has been put on this website . Comments are invited, and should be sent by 14 August 2006 to consultation@cic.org.uk The Consultants’ Contract has been developed by a multidisciplinary team taken from CIC’s wide membership. The conditions of contract were drafted by John Hughes-D’Aeth of Berwin Leighton The Cons Con also includes an innovative approach to services: the contract package includes comprehensive, fully integrated services, which set down by role the services required to fully define what is to be constructed. The parties allocate these services to the consultants appointed, specialists and the contractor, bearing in mind the procurement route and personnel involved. The resulting schedules which form part of the signed contract therefore create clarity and transparency. A full explanation can be found on the CIC website; the various documents are working drafts and comments and enquiries are very welcome. 2. Strategic Forum 2012 Construction Commitments The Strategic Forum for Construction welcomes the Government’s agreement this week to sign up to the ‘2012 Construction Commitments’. The aim of the document, developed by industry with the strong support of Government, is to maximise the opportunity to showcase the very best of British construction practices, using the Olympics as a live example. The ‘2012 Construction Commitments’ covers six key areas of the construction process and is designed to promote collaborative working and best practice, ensuring the successful delivery of the Games infrastructure, buildings and subsequent legacy. The document does not involve any new initiatives but strives to make the most of existing initiatives, tools and talent in the industry. Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell said: “We can be proud of the wealth of talent and experience within the construction industry in this country. The document we have signed today will allow us to capitalise on this expertise and on the new approaches to collaborative working and construction best practice, to allow for an exceptional games that will be the pride of the UK for a generation.” “We are determined to make London 2012 the best Games ever. By working together with the industry and recognising that ultimately the client bears the risk and by managing that process accordingly, I am convinced that we can build inspirational venues, on time and on budget.” It is now industry’s turn to do its part. For more information and to sign up the 2012 Construction Commitments go to http://www.strategicforum.org.uk/2012CC.shtml 3. New Building Control Performance Indicators and Standards The Government has been working with the building control industry to create a new system of Performance Indicators and a revised Building Control Performance Standards document which will give local authorities and approved inspectors a framework to help improve the quality of the building control service they offer. These initiatives, developed by the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group (BCPSAG), will provide a quantitative means for building control bodies to monitor the quality of the service they offer. If carried out regularly, it will be possible for them to identify the areas that meet expectations and those that require improvement. The Performance Indicators and Standards were launched recently by Building Regulations Minister Angela Smith at a ‘round table’ meeting between government and industry about building regulations, which she chaired. The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was represented by Graham Watts, Chief Executive. CIC have seats on BCPSAG and also provide secretariat services to the Advisory Group. It is the first time the building control industry has developed such a wide range of Performance Indicators and this collaboration demonstrates the Government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to continue to raise standards in this crucial area of the construction industry. The work of the Building Control Performance Standards Advisory Group will continue under a new Memorandum of Understanding between its constituents, signed on 1 June 2006. This will include monitoring the implementation of the Performance Indicators and keeping the Performance Standards under review. For more information visit www.dclg.gov.uk 4. ConstructionSkills; Building an International Language of Construction ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for construction is working with partner’s worldwide to identify and benchmark international best practice for installers, site supervisors and managers, to help UK employees develop the international skills needed for modern off-site methods of construction and to support the integration of migrant workers in the UK. The benchmarking project seeks to promote both mutual recognition of skills worldwide and to establish a forum in which best practice can be shared internationally. Skills development consultancy Cambridge Professional Development (CamProf) will work with the International Forum for Construction Occupational Standards (IFCOS), an international group of experts in construction skills, to identify the impact of modern methods of construction, such as, offsite manufacturing, production and fabrication, modular construction, pre-fabrication, pre-assembly and standardisation. IFCOS was set up by the participants of an earlier benchmarking project in 2005, which identified the need to address international labour mobility. When completed the project will improve the UK National Occupational Standards. National Occupational Standards specify the standards of performance that staff are expected to achieve in their work and the knowledge and skills they need to perform effectively. They have been agreed by employers and trade unions and approved by the United Kingdom Co-ordination Group. The standards form the basis of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). David Cracknell of ConstructionSkills said, “This project will give the construction industry a common language worldwide. The industry is evolving fast; to keep up with developments and demands we must share good practice. By recognising and agreeing universal standards of working we improve skilled worker opportunities and give employers a bigger, better qualified, pool of recruits to choose from, raising standards.” Nigel Lloyd, Principal at CamProf said “There is much to learn from other countries’ experience in off-site work, we can learn from their experiences and vice-versa. This project gives us the platform to begin to do just that. There are approximately 300,000 people working in the UK’s traditional construction crafts and a further 6,000 installers. Standardising international qualifications and sharing best practice will improve their business opportunities.” In October the IFCOS network experts will meet for a working session to discuss standards and the best ways of working together internationally. The benchmarking process will conclude before the end of the year and the results will be shared with the IFCOS network and a final report submitted to the project’s steering group, the Built Environment Skills Alliance. The Alliance is a range of sector skills councils, standards setting bodies, regulatory authorities and others who will promote and encourage joint working and a partnership approach where appropriate. The IFCOS network currently includes members from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Estonia, New Zealand, Romania, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about the network or to join contact Nigel Lloyd on + (44) (0)845 3455 1999/299, mobile +(44) 7831 619669 or email nigell@camprof.com 5. CSCS Card – Important Announcements The ‘Over 55’ temporary route, to a CSCS card, is closing on 1 September 2006. Completed applications must be received before this date. Workers who are 55 or over, before 30 September 2006, can apply for a Blue CSCS card through employer certification. No N/SVQ or other qualification is necessary. All applicants must have a valid pass in the health and safety test. Cards through this route are not available for CPCS, CISRS, CCDO or TSM occupations. Experienced Worker Cards From 1 September 2006 Experienced Worker Cards for experienced workers and experienced technical, supervisor and managers will be valid for one year only. At the end of this period applicants are expected to have achieved their N/SVQ qualification. These cards are not renewable. Existing cards will not be affected and will be valid until the expiry date shown on the card. For further information on the above announcements please visit http://www.cscs.uk.com/ 6. The Duke of Edinburgh Gives Construction his Royal Approval The Duke of Edinburgh donned hard hat and boots to visit the National Construction College to see for himself students from Imperial College London managing and building their own versions of engineering landmarks. Prince Philip arrived by helicopter and spent nearly an hour talking to students about their involvement in the Constructionarium, an annual event where groups of engineering students have five days to tackle a challenging project. Projects tackled during the week included a scale model of the Millau Viaduct, the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, a 20 tonne version of Ravenspurn oil rig in the North Sea, the mushroom-shaped Naples underground station in Italy and East Reef pier a 21st Century pier currently being planned in Essex. The Constructionarium is a unique partnership between academia and Industry and is designed to complement the existing theory exams. It links the theory and reality of construction, something that is often missing from the current course curriculums, and puts into practice what they have learnt during their studies. It was launched in 2002 and is the brainchild of engineer Chris Wise who came up with the idea whilst teaching at Imperial College. Wise was the chief engineer on the Millennium Bridge. He escorted the Prince around the Constructionarium site. Prince Philip toured the different projects and met the students involved. The Prince is an engineering enthusiast and Senior Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng). He personally requested a visit to the Constructionarium after reading about it in the Royal Academy of Engineering magazine, Ingenia. David Dalgoda, 22, Civil Engineering student, Imperial College London, spoke to the Prince and commented; “It’s really good that he (Prince Philip) is supportive of construction and engineering. It helps to raise the profile of the industry which is important because of the existing skills shortage.” Robin Holdsworth of Constructionarium stated: “The practical experience of working on site is invaluable for students. Constructionarium demonstrates how industry and academia are combining to combat the ongoing shortage in construction and design expertise, and it provides our future construction managers with practical skills and experience.” 7. Study of the impact of European Community policies on the competitiveness of the construction sector DG Enterprise and Industry have commissioned a research consortium led by the University of Manchester to analyse and assess the impacts of European Community policies on the competitiveness of the construction sector. The study will identify the policies and instruments that have the greatest influence on the sector, examine the mechanisms and processes by which they impact upon the sector and assess the scale of their impact. For those policies with negative impacts, the study team are asked to put forward proposals for alternative means of achieving the same goals with less effect on competitiveness. In order to carry out this study your help is needed – A questionnaire is available via the following link www.mbs.ac.uk/EuroImpactSurvey in which the opportunity is available for you to give your views Deadline for responses is 30th July 2006. 8. Building Better Healthcare Awards 2006 The Building Better Healthcare Awards has been recognising the very best in healthcare design and management for eight years. The BBH Awards highlight true success within the NHS and it is this recognition of achievement that has made it the most coveted ceremony year after year. The awards aim to showcase the achievements of NHS management, healthcare architects, interior designers, hospital administrators, facilities managers, consultants and key members of the healthcare design/hospital construction community. The deadline for submitting entries is Thursday 31 August 2006. For further information or to submit your entry online visit www.bbhealthcareawards.com IPHE member, Mario Martin EngTech LCGI MIPHE RP was presented with a Gold Award at the House of Commons on 14th June. The accolade came from the Association of Colleges and was in recognition of his success from hard work and professional development. Mario (47) was trained at Leeds College of Building some 24 years ago. Since then he has held a part-time teaching post at the college and has attended many courses to update his own skills. Mario, a self-employed plumber, has notched up an impressive string of awards, including H & V News Domestic Installer of the Year 1996, Tradesperson of the Year 2005 and Britain’s Favourite Plumber Award 2005. Earlier this year he was presented with his Master Plumber Certificate by Geoff Marsh MBE at The Worshipful Company of Plumbers Annual Lecture. Geoff made the following comment: 10. Events The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details. |
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