CIC Cascade

The Construction Industry Council, as a partner in ConstructionSkills, recently launched the results of its Built Environment Professional Services Skills Survey at the Building Centre in London .

The report details the findings of the first major skills survey focused on the UK construction professional services sector and the key issues that firms face with respect to skills, competence, recruitment and training of the workforce.

It provides benchmark information on the current situation and an indication of firms' expectations and concerns regarding the key skills issues that they face in the future

The survey was undertaken nationally between November 2003 and January 2004. 927 companies responded from a broad and representative cross section of the professional services sector. Collectively these employ over 43,000 full time members of staff and generate a fee income of over £2.4 billion.

Some of the key findings are:

Almost half of respondents experienced problems with staff proficiency and skills gaps. The research identified significant issues relating to management, communication, literacy, problem solving and client handling skills.
Despite nearly three-quarters of the professional services workforce being qualified to HNC or above, survey respondents identified a range of skills and competence areas where capability was an issue. These included professional IT skills, processing and agreeing design schemes, surveys, procurement strategy and controlling construction operatives.
Architects, engineers and surveyors highlighted design development skills and competence issues.
Surveyors highlighted construction and installation phase and team management skills/competence issues.
Surveyors and planners highlighted strategic and policy monitoring and communication skills/competence issues.
Planners and multi-disciplinary firms highlighted management skills issues.
Two thirds of respondents have had difficulties recruiting staff with the necessary skills and experience in the last twelve months.
43% of respondents believed that the standard of new recruits to the sector had decreased over the past 5 years.
An average of 5.39 training days were provided per annum per employee at an average expense of £643 per person.

Graham Watts , Chief Executive of CIC said

"These results will help identify, for the first time, employment patterns and education, training and skills needs for this hugely important part of the industry. There has been an urgent need for data that informs the future objectives of ConstructionSkills and this survey will build on data compiled by CITB-ConstructionSkills to give a whole industry view of future skills needs."

These results will enable ConstructionSkills to identify key issues and develop its strategy for addressing them. This will only be achieved as the issues are debated and confronted by all stakeholders in the industry.

A summary of the key findings of the survey “Built Environment Professional Services Skills Survey 2003/2004. Survey Findings and Implications” can be downloaded or contact CIC to obtain a hard copy.

The complete report “Built Environment Professional Services Skills Survey 2003/2004. Survey Results” is also available to download from the CIC website free of charge or hard copies can be obtained from the CIC priced at £40.00.

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2. CIC South East engages the region in great skills debate

On Thursday 20 May CIC SE will be holding a half day seminar on skills provision, needs and training for the construction professions of the South East.

Building on the recent Built Environment Professional Services Skills Survey, this event will look at the national trends, contrast these with the specific results for the South East and open up a debate around the issues.

Delegates will gain valuable information about what skills training is available at present and how this could help their organisation . This will be an excellent opportunity to feed back to training providers the specific needs of the South East and to have a real input into future debate and provision.

Speakers will include Angus Foster, Chairman of CIC South East; Stuart Henderson , Deputy Chairman of CIC ; Sheila Hoile , Director of Training Strategy CITB-ConstructionSkills and Guy Hazelhurst from Davis Langdon Consultancy.

Location: The Business Centre, 100 Longwater , Green Park , Reading , Berkshire , RG2 6GP

Cost: Only £25.00 plus VAT if booked before 6 May, £35.00 including VAT after this date.

Email Myra Faulkner at CIC South East for further details at CICSE@ciob.org.uk or telephone 01252 819486

Download further details and booking form here

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3. The ODPM launch The Egan Review: Skills for Sustainable Communities

In April 2003, Sir John Egan was asked by the Deputy Prime Minister to conduct a review to consider the skills needed to help deliver the vision and aims of the Sustainable Communities plan.

On 19 April 2004 ODPM launched The Egan Review: Skills for Sustainable Communities reportin whichSir John calls for a cultural change in the skills, behaviours , knowledge and training of more than 100 occupations involved in delivering sustainable communities.

The report presents the findings of this review, which clarifies a definition of 'sustainable community', and supports this with a set of seven components which, together, constitute the common goal that all central and local government officers, service providers, communities, and the private and voluntary sectors should be working towards.

The findings of The Egan Review show that, to turn things around, a common goal is required. Delivering better communities requires not only the professional skills of planning, architecture and surveying, but also a broad range of generic skills, behaviour and knowledge such as governance of communities, economic planning for prosperity, communication, risk taking, and above all leadership and partnership working. This goal will not be simply or easily achieved and presents a considerable challenge to all those involved. However, successful adoption of the recommendations outlined in The Egan Review, will assist all those who wish to ensure that future communities in England are truly sustainable.

To order a copy of this report visit www.ribabookshops.com/Search/IdxCat/4536.asp

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4. Investors in People programme for professional consultants

A second programme of the specially designed IiP initial training programme for construction professionals starts in May. Graham Watts, Chief Executive of CIC said “The CIC supports this programme as a means of helping firms to improve profitability though better motivated people, whilst at the same time working towards the Investors in People standard”

Colander management consultants invites firms of professional consultants to join architects and surveyors already signed up.

The programme consists of two stages, stage one: Colander prepares a confidential report for each firm which tells them whether they currently comply with the 12 “indicators” required for accreditation.

Stage two consists of 12 half-day monthly workshops, starting in September, in London . In addition to discussing progress, training is given on a variety of topics, for example: business planning; induction courses; training plans; recruitment and appraisal skills; measuring competencies; employment law.

There is no pressure on practices to apply for assessment at the end. The value of completing the two stages in itself is enough to bring improvements to the way staff are managed and to overall performance.

Costs are £5,000 for the 18 month programme. This includes a day for each firm of Chris Andrews’ time during stage two.

For more information see www.colander.co.uk or phone Chris Andrews, director of Colander, 020 7580 3058, email chris@colander.co.uk

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5. The Construction Clients’ Group (CCG) is now fully operational

The Construction Clients’ Group, (CCG), an umbrella body for both private and public sector clients of construction became fully operational on 5 April 2004 .

The pan client body will actively support client enterprises of every shape and size, by promoting best practice principles that offer business performance improvement and best value from construction. Where collective client interest exists, the CCG will also serve as a united voice for a range of clients to relevant stakeholders.

Immediate CCG activities include:

Surveying a range of clients, ascertaining the issues they are facing and their views on key best practice initiatives and documents such as Accelerating Change
Actively representing the views of clients on the Strategic Forum for Construction and helping the Forum to engage with more clients
Producing a practical and accessible best practice tool for the one off or occasional client
Staging an Annual Conference for a wide range of customers of construction
Re-examining the whole issue of “independent client advice”
Contributing to a Health and Safety Executive and industry group preparing a consultation on revisions to the CDM Regulations and canvassing client feedback
Staging regular learning groups and workshops on issues of specific relevance to customers of construction
Participating on a new industry / cross Government forum for construction to provide early opportunity to debate emerging policy and regulatory proposals emanating from both the UK and the EU
Helping to positively steer the construction research agenda through nCRISP

Construction Minister Nigel Griffiths comments:

“I am very pleased that we have witnessed the rebuilding of a credible and cohesive public and private sector client body. I particularly welcome the emphasis on reaching as many clients as possible, so that more can capitalise from best practice in construction.”

BPF Chief Executive Liz Peace comments:

“The BPF, as the representative body of a large group of construction clients, has always felt that a broader, but coherent, client body is essential, – which is why we have been pleased to play such an influential part in getting the CCG up and running.”

Strategic Forum Chairman Peter Rogers comments:

“It is essential that the construction industry has a strong client body that provides effective advice on best practice and represents the interests of clients wherever the client meets with industry. The CCG will have a vital role to play in promoting the Accelerating Change agenda across the construction industry. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them in my role as Chairman of the Strategic Forum for Construction.”

NSCC Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol comments:

“The National Specialist Contractors Council is delighted to see the formation of the Construction Clients’ Group. Experience has shown that clients that appreciate the value of involving their supply in the early stages of a project, and capitalize on the detailed knowledge Specialist Contractors possess, are more likely to achieve their desired end result on time, to specification and within budget. We look forward to developing a forward-looking dialogue with a client body that has a desire to achieve the best from the construction industry.”

CCG Executive Director Christopher Morley comments:

“The CCG already has a good size membership and that important balance between both public and private sector firm, but my objective is to create a client permeating “Heineken body”, which can only be achieved through inclusive membership policy and by offering added value for clients.”

For further details contact the CCG, 1 Warwick Row, 7 th Floor, London , SW1E 5ER.

Tel 020 7802 0115 fax 020 7834 3442 email CCG@bpf.org.uk

CCG questions and answers

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6. Rethinking Facilities Management

BIFM are conducting a research study to find out more about FM today and its future development. The study will analyse how FM adds value today and what are likely to be the key issues over the next few years.

The analysis will be used to prepare an action plan to help develop the FM profession over the next five to ten years and a tool kit to help individual FMs improve their contribution to the core business. The results will be available towards the end of the year.

The study is very timely since BIFM has just commenced a review of its core competencies for FM and the Government is expected to licence a Sector Skills Council for the FM Sector (Asset Skills) later this year.

Two questionnaires have been developed: one for FMs (in-house and commercial service providers), the other for their client organisations . These have emerged from a series of workshops held with FMs and clients around the country.

If you would be willing to spare some time to complete a short questionnaire please see the attached two documents. Questionnaires must be completed and returned by the end of May.

Rethinking Facilities Management
Survey Questionnaire

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7. CIC invites you to Consultation Workshops for Construction Management NVQ

CIC will shortly be consulting industry on revisions to the Level 5 Construction Management (formerly Construction Contracts Management). Consultation will commence with consultation events held in Cardiff (7 May), Glasgow (10 May) and Belfast (13 May).

The N/SVQ level 5 qualification is for construction managers working in a wide range of job roles. These include contracts managers, estimating and commercial managers, operations directors of smaller construction companies, property and facilities managers and specialist construction managers. The award has been developed by practising construction managers, supported by the relevant professional institutions, employers’ bodies and the Construction Industry Council.

The award is the first revision and development of the original level 5 N/SVQ in Construction Contracts Management. In place of this single award, the new N/SVQ is designed on a “core and options” basis to serve all level 5 construction managers, reflecting the current industry focus on changes brought about by ‘Construction the Team’, ‘Rethinking Construction’ and subsequent initiatives. This award is relevant to all those practitioners in the sector who are working in a policy-making, director or middle/senior management capacity.

Consultation will commence with consultation events held in Cardiff , Glasgow and Belfast . The Cardiff event will take place on 7 May, the Glasgow event on 10 May and the event in Belfast on 13 May.

The programme for each event will be as follows:

10.30 am Coffee

11.00 am Welcome and background to the project

11.30 am Discussion on structure of new award; core & options matrix; choice of units. (Break into smaller groups if appropriate.)

12.30 pm Lunch

1.15 pm Discussion on the details of the standards. Identification of any overlaps, gaps and revisions. (Break into smaller groups if appropriate.)

2.15 pm Plenary agreement of suggested revisions to the new award

2.45 pm Update on ConstructionSkills

3.15 pm Close

If you are interested in attending one of these events, or would like to take part in consultation but are unable to attend any of these events, please contact Catherine Moss email: cmoss@cic.org.uk. It is envisaged that an event will take place in England at a later date, possibly focusing on specialist areas.

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8. CIC supports National Construction Recruitment Exhibition

Organisers of The National Construction and The National Engineering Recruitment exhibition taking place in Wembley, London, from 14-15 May will offer both skilled professional and graduates the valuable opportunity of meeting potential employers face-to-face.

A recent industry poll* of industry specialists has shown that 46% consider career prospects more important than salary in choosing an employer.

Visitors will be able to discuss recruitment opportunities with some of the nation’s most prominent construction employers, such as Wates and The Waterman Partnership, whilst receiving advice from recruitment experts on drafting a CV, how to conduct job interviews and job search techniques.

For the first time ever, the organisers of the event have also invited Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) to speak at the show and highlight how voluntary projects can help widen an individual’s skill set to improve their career prospects in the future.

For further information on The National Construction Recruitment (NCR) and The National Engineering Recruitment (NER) visit: www.construction-job.co.uk. and www.engineerjobs.co.uk

* 46% of graduate and professional engineers and construction specialists consider career prospects more important than salary in choosing an employer, according to a survey conducted by organisers of The National Engineering Recruitment Exhibition (NER) and National Construction Recruitment Exhibition (NCR).

Visitors were asked, “Which factor is most likely to influence you when choosing an employer?”. In addition to revealing career prospects as the top choice, the survey showed that a company’s reputation is the second most important factor for 21% of respondents.

Scott Bannerman, Venture Marketing Group, organiser of NER and NCR commented: “This survey shows that rather than just cite a high salary, businesses have to prove to potential employees a long-term commitment to their future. They should also consider ways in which their reputation can be communicated through industry events such as recruitment shows allowing candidates to meet the organisation face-to-face.”

The survey also reveals that location continues to be a concern for job-seekers with 15% considering the location of their future employer to be integral to their choice of employer. A remaining 10% consider salary to be the most important factor, a further 8% are most concerned about benefits and holidays.

Scott Bannerman commented: “NER & NCR provides the ideal opportunity for graduates to launch their career by meeting a number of different leading employers in one location.'

NER and NCR will take place on 14 & 15 May at Wembley, London and 26 & 27 November at the NEC, Birmingham .

9. Events

For further details on this and other events visit CIC's events page.

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	For general information please contact CIC

Construction Industry Council is a company no. 2388396 limited by guarantee, registered in England. CIC registered office: 26 Store Street London WC1E 7BT