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CIC Cascade18 May 2007
1. CIC ConstructionSkills celebrate 1st successful ‘Think Next Generation’ Event CIC ConstructionSkills are delighted to announce the success of the first annual ‘Think Next Generation’ events programme. At the Construction Challenge event teams of 4 and 5 professionals were pitched against each other and set the task of reconstructing a model against a strict deadline. Each member of the team took on a specific industry role in order to complete the project. After a close finish the winners were awarded the grand prize of a box at Ascot Race Course. The event included a cocktail reception sponsored by Gardiner and Theobald allowing for a more traditional networking opportunity. For further information or to register your interest in future 'Think Next Generation' events please contact Tamara Dale tdale@cic.org.uk 2. Helping Young People Build Their Future The Chartered Surveyors Training Trust is the industry body providing apprenticeships in surveying for young people. This initiative; supported by CIC and ConstructionSkills will focus upon young people aged 16 to 24 who face a barrier to a career in surveying whether it is personal, economic, social or educational. Traditionally a London provider, the Trust is now spreading its remit to the South East of England. Freelance NVQ TUTORS/ASSESSORS are required from this area to help us in our endeavours. Your role will be to act as coach and mentor as well as assessor to trainees. Additionally you may be required to provide lectures and tuition to the young people. You will identify training and development needs; design training and development plans; and, guide and advise employers on trainees’ needs. You will also support and assess trainees’ performance against national standards. We are keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming an NVQ Tutor/Assessor as well as from qualified assessors; full training leading to Assessor qualification will be given. You must be occupationally competent (ie. a recent background in surveying or construction) and have an empathy with young people as well as the commitment and ability to enable them to achieve their potential. Ideally, you will also have some teaching, mentoring or coaching experience (e.g. APC/ATC coach). The average time commitment required is 2 – 3 days per month. The role may therefore be ideal for retired or semi-retired professionals, but part-time and full-time equivalent positions are also available. Apply in writing with a comprehensive CV and covering letter to: Amy Leaning, Trust Manager, by email amy.leaning@cstt.org.uk or telephone 0207 194 7952 3. Green ideas thrive in construction 'Ideas are the currency of the future' - a Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) survey into innovation in the construction industry, found almost half of the 459 managers and directors questioned would develop 'green' technology and techniques. Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive said, "What we have seen through this research is that sustainability is clearly at the top of the agenda for the construction industry. Almost 50% of respondents voiced innovative 'green' ideas that ranged from carbon neutral construction materials, renewable energy systems, energy efficient heating systems through to solar powered equipment and better waste management products. With 60% of respondents stating that 'green' issues currently require the most research and development (R & D); it is clear from this survey that there is a deep concern for environmental issues from within the construction industry. "The construction industry is not widely perceived as offering an environment that nurtures creativity. However, this survey has suggested otherwise with a large volume of ideas being expressed, and innovation regarded by the majority as crucial to the sustainable future of the industry." The study sought specific opinion on the current state of innovation within construction including the climate of R & D investment compared to turnover. The survey analysed the impact of current innovations and where they were most likely to come from in terms of sector and geography. In addition the study examined the respondents’ aspirations and ideas as to what issues they felt would require an innovative response from the industry. The respondents were also given the opportunity to express what areas they would develop with a million pound R & D budget. 4. CIOB asks: Is the Government building for the future? A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has shown the majority of government departments and agencies as failing to meet targets to make their new buildings and major refurbishments sustainable. Chris Blythe, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) said, "Sustainability and the way we build for the future is a serious issue and needs greater cohesion between the Government and the Industry. The report highlights that a lack of consistency and responsibility are part of the problem. The Government must create a more joined up approach to the construction industry, which is the only way we can successfully tackle these issues. We would question whether the current system is building for the future or just treading water." The report found that most departments have started to consider sustainability in construction and refurbishment projects. But departments are not consistently carrying out the required environmental assessments on new projects. In 2005-06 only 35 per cent (37 of 106) of new builds and 18 per cent (61 of 335) of major refurbishment projects had carried out, or planned to carry out, these environmental assessments. The NAO, with the assistance of specialist consultants, examined a sample of projects that had not been assessed. Of these, 80 per cent would have failed to meet the required assessment standards. But the report also identifies some examples of good practice, including the refurbishment of offices by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the refurbishment of the Treasury's headquarters and Defence Estates' construction of Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College. Sir John Bourn, head of the NAO, said, "When I last reported on construction in 2005, I emphasised the need to consider both the costs and benefits over the whole life of a building, not just the initial capital required. Despite this, today's report highlights a continuing failure by departments to consider the long-term value of sustainability in their new builds and refurbishments. This is particularly disappointing given the importance of sustainability in promoting a deeper understanding of value for money. "Government departments and agencies spend in the region of £3 billion each year on new builds and major refurbishments. If sustainability is well handled, and addressed at the very beginning of construction projects, it can and should provide better value for money in the long term." The NAO report identified a number of barriers to progress towards more sustainable buildings on the government estate including:
A full copy of the NAO report is available at: - http://www.nao.org.uk/pn/06-07/0607324.htm 5. BURA Awards for Best Practice in Regeneration 2007 - Open for Entries Do you know a project that represents best practice in regeneration? Where can I find out more? Should you require any further information please contact Kate Beeching on 020 7539 4030 or by emailing kate@bura.org.uk. Entries must be received by 29 June 2007 6. EU Directive on Services - Update GOOD NEWS for the UK! The Services Directive was adopted at the end of last year and published in the European Commission’s Official Journal on 27 December 2006 – see website. Member States, including the UK now have until the end of 2009 to implement the Directive. DTI is responsible for co-ordinating the implementation for the UK and will be working closely with relevant Departments and interested parties throughout the duration of the project. The Directive fits in with other Government initiatives such as the administrative burdens measurement exercise and Transformational Government – see website. DTI stated that to ensure that the Directive is implemented effectively, they will be focusing on: Screening – reviewing all legislation and administrative practices relating to service provision to ensure they comply with the Directive, and removing or amending those which do not; Point of single contact (PSC) – setting up an online portal through which businesses will be able to complete the formalities and procedures needed for setting up a business in the UK on either a permanent or temporary basis; They have commissioned some research on the user requirements for the PSC and will then test the outcomes from this research with stakeholders, and use it to work to influence the PSC implementations in other Member States. Mutual Assistance – an electronic system where regulators in one Member State will be able to securely communicate with those in another Member State, enabling authorities to supervise providers e.g. to confirm the nature of existing licence authorisation. Quality of services – the Directive also includes provisions on rights for service recipients, such as making information on redress schemes more readily available. Because this is a very complex project, DTI are using rigorous project planning to ensure that they implement the Directive properly within the three year deadline. They have organised a Project Steering Board which meets at each key stage of the project and have invited representatives from small and large businesses and a consumer representative on to the Board. Not only does the Directive have to be implemented effectively in the UK but it is also important for UK businesses that the Directive is implemented fully in all Member States. To achieve this, DTI will be working closely with the European Commission and Member States to encourage a consistent approach across the EU. The European Commission has already organised several Working Groups to discuss key elements of implementation; and UK will be liaising with many Member States individually. The initial work will inform further policy development, and DTI expect to be able to issue a consultation document in the autumn setting out proposals for implementing the Directive. There will be more information about this closer to the time. Further information is available on the DTI updated website which reflects the next stages of the project, particularly FAQs. Services Directive seminar A seminar has been organised for Monday 11 June at 10:00 for 10:30-12:30, DTI Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street where the DTI will outline how they propose to implement the Directive in the UK and also give some further information on the PSC research and how other Member States are implementing. If you would like to attend please register by emailing Elaine.barley@dti.gsi.gov.uk. 7. Events The events page of the CIC website is frequently updated visit the events page for details. |
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