The world of construction is always changing. Our blogs uncover the latest developments in the industry and provide insight into the work CIOB and our members are doing for the built environment.
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The publication of Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety issued an important and resounding call for change across the entire construction industry. A number of challenges were identified about how we ensure our buildings keep people safe.
Quality in construction is quite rightly under the spotlight but to ensure quality we need competent people and one way of achieving this is through competency schemes . The CIOB is already on this path in developing schemes that allow individuals to demonstrate their competency in a robust way.
This month, the UK government announced that they will be seeking seven new members for the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (BRAC) and it would be great to see CIOB members take up the opportunity.
For International Women’s Day, we spoke with one group of women who are being the change they want to see in the construction industry. Novus is our network of young construction professionals, and our Novus Group in Manchester are challenging the status quo with a committee where, for the first time, the majority are women.
Growing up, I always had an exposure to the construction industry as my father worked as a contractor in London and ‘daddy day-care’ meant weekends were spent on site, getting stuck in, though I’m not always sure how much I was helping! The camaraderie mixed with the variety of work on site really appealed to my younger and inquisitive self.
Having spent so many years campaigning for equality, both as trade union official and now also as Chair of the CIOB Diversity Special Interest Group, there can possibly be no greater honour than being asked to write a blog for International Womens’ Day. Over the years, the lack of understanding of what an inclusive work place means and looks like never ceases to irritate me. An organisation can have all the policies in the world but that doesn’t make things equal, in fact they often hide behind the policies as an excuse for inactivity.
I became a member of the CIOB in 2009 because I recognised that being part of a professional body would give me the opportunity to make the industry I love, and have dedicated my career to, even better.
Northerners, born and bred, by nature are invested and excited for any opportunities that arise to raise the profile of our regions.
I have worked in construction for 16 years now, since graduating from Brighton University in 2002. I’ve always worked hard, tried to go the ‘extra mile’ and I’ve always taken pride in my work. Now, as a project manager, I find myself leading construction projects and I have to pinch myself sometimes to remind myself that I’m in a great position and I’m fortunate enough to enjoy going to work. I pride myself on my professionalism and believe strongly that whatever the technical difficulties of a project, the foundation for success lies in relationships: with client, user, the community and the supply chain.
Estimating is the earliest stage of involvement a contractor has on a construction project. Despite often being the shortest phase, it sets the whole scene for the rest of the project. If you get it wrong, you live with the consequences for the rest of the project, making it vital to get right first time.
It is estimated that poor quality is costing the construction industry annually more than the combined profits of the companies in the industry. Research by Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) suggested that quality management could save the industry between £7bn and £12bn.
What I’m looking for as a judge is to be inspired. Nobody wins CMYA by being ordinary.