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Issue 94 • April 2016

2 First Words

3 Budget 2016

5 Inspiring Change Awards

7 Workload Trends

13 Constructionarium NE

14 Go Construct

16 London Infrastructure Debate

17 HS2 Meet The Bidders

19 HiCLG

CECA Communicates

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Inspiring Change Awards: Promoting Fairness, Inclusion & Respect

inspiring change

CECA has inaugurated a new suite of industry gongs, the “Inspiring Change Awards”, which celebrate fairness, inclusion and respect in the construction industry. These have been presented for the first time at a Parliamentary Reception in Westminster, and CECA hope they will become a fixture in the infrastructure sector as a celebration of best practice in promoting equality and diversity in the workplace. This issue of CECA Communicates also sets out everything our members need to know about the 2016 Budget, as well as reporting on CECA’s involvement

in the London Mayoral Infrastructure hustings, the recent work of Go Construct, details of our engagement with HS2, and update from the Health in Construction Leadership Group, and much, much more. The infrastructure sector is an exciting place to be at the moment, with mega projects such as HS2 about to drive growth in the economy. CECA is proud to represent our members as they deliver the vital infrastructure our country relies upon, and will continue to make the case for infrastructure to Government, industry stakeholders, and all political parties.

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Welcome to the latest issue of Communicates. In this issue we report on our successful “Inspiring Change” Awards, which were unveiled at an event in Parliament. I would like to take the opportunity of congratulating all those who took part, our sponsors, and our judges - the high quality of the field of entrants was truly encouraging, and I hope the awards will become an industry fixture to promote fairness, inclusions and respect in the infrastructure sector.

We also cover the most recent Budget (page 3), in which Chancellor George Osborne unveiled a second Roads Investment Strategy, committed to the recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission, and published the long-awaited Shaw Report into the future of Network Rail. CECA welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement of infrastructure investments, but called on the Government to provide more details as to the timetable for project delivery.

Also in this issue, we carry a report on CECA’s Workload Trends Survey (page 7), updates from CECA North West (page 8), CECA Midlands (page 12), and a profile of the exciting work going into Constructionarium North East (page

13). We have profiles on community outreach work at Old Oak Common (page 9), updates from Manchester Smart Motorways (page 11), and a profile of the exciting new ‘matching service’ that Go Construct is launching this year (page 14).

Furthermore, on 4 April CECA was proud to co-host the London Infrastructure Debate (pages 16 - 17), at which an audience of 400 industry experts, including more than fifty CECA members, were afforded the opportunity to grill prospective mayoral candidates and their representatives on their priorities for the infrastructure sector in the capital.

CECA was glad to welcome news that the Third Reading of the High Speed Rail Bill was passed in the House of Commons (page 18), which came hot on the heels of the successful CECA ‘meet the bidder’ event in Birmingham, at which more than 400 delegates got the opportunity to ‘speed date’ with bidders for HS2 enabling works. News that the Bill had passed the Commons - it is expected to be comfortably passed by the House of Lords - was an important milestone in this once-in-a-generation project, and will do much to boost the confidence of industry.

First Words

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CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner

Finally, we have updates from CECA National’s Civil Engineering Director Peter Crosland on the Health in Construction Leadership Group (page 19) and on BREEAM and CEEQUAL (page 20). CECA looks forward to representing our members in the months ahead as we continue to make the case for infrastructure.

Best wishes,

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Budget 2016George Osborne Delivers His Eighth Budget

CECA Welcomes Infrastructure Schemes, But Calls For More Detail

On 16 March, Chancellor George Osborne delivered his eighth Budget speech to Parliament, promising to focus on stability and putting the next generation first. In particular, his focus was on the UK economy’s strength and resilience in preparation for future challenges. He noted that although Britain’s is “an economy set to grow faster than any other major advanced economy in the world,” the IMF has warned that the global economy is at a “delicate juncture” and that his Government’s focus was on ensuring Britain was best placed to face the “storm clouds” once again gathering on the international economic horizon.

The Spending Review prioritised long term investment over day-to-day spending. Furthermore, the Government has also published a National Infrastructure Delivery Plan, setting out details of over £100 billion of public sector investment

in infrastructure across this Parliament. The Budget included the announcement of an additional boost to spending on flood defence and resilience of over £700 million by 2020-2021.

National Infrastructure Commission

The Commission has now published its first three reports and has made innovative proposals to address some of the country’s most pressing infrastructure challenges. The Budget confirmed that the Government accepts the Commission’s recommendations.The Government is to provide £300 million of funding to improve northern transport connectivity and is giving the green light to High Speed 3 between Leeds and Manchester. The go ahead was also given to Crossrail 2, supported by £80 million to help fund development with the aim of bringing forward a Hybrid Bill in this Parliament.

The Chancellor announced that the Government will support a “smart power revolution”, with support for innovation in storage and other smart technologies, and an increased level of ambition on interconnection, recognising the important contribution it will make to the future energy mix.

Furthermore, the Commission will carry out an assessment of how the UK can become a world leader in 5G deployment, and how it can take early advantage of the potential benefits of 5G services. Finally, the Commission will look into proposals for unlocking growth, housing and jobs in the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford corridor.

Roads Investment Strategy

The Chancellor announced the launch of the second Roads Investment Strategy, which will determine the investment plans for the period from 2020-21 to 2024-25. The Government is allocating £151 million from the Local Majors Fund in the first round of allocation, and is launching the bidding process for the

Above: George Osborne Has Delivered The Eighth Budget Of His Tenure

“Across Britain this Budget invests in infrastructure – from a more resilient train line in the South West, to crossings at Ipswich and Lowestoft in the East – we are making our country stronger.” - Chancellor George Osborne

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second tranche of funding, designed to fund transformative local transport projects. Budget 2016 also announces the allocation of the £50 million Pothole Action Fund for England in 2016-17. The Government will provide a further £130 million to repair roads and bridges damaged by Storms Desmond and Eva.

The Shaw Report

Budget day also saw the publication of the long awaited Shaw Report into the future of Network Rail, written by Nicola Shaw, Chief Executive of High Speed 1. The report made a number of recommendations, calling for Network Rail to sustain efforts to devolve greater responsibility to routes, while seeking new funding for investment, creating a route for the North, and clarifying the Government’s role in the railway and Network Rail - all proposals in line with CECA’s rail policy.

Moreover, also in line with CECA’s recent campaigns, the report called for the development of an industry-wide plan to develop skills and improve diversity in the rail sector. Shaw stopped short, however, of recommending a more root-and-branch revamp or privatisation.

Commenting upon the report, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said that if implemented in full, it would form the basis of “vital reforms”, but that the application of its recommendations must not be at the expense of existing works on the network. He said: “It is clear there is a need to ensure that Network Rail looks at all opportunities to deliver outstanding results for its customers. The Shaw Review was set up to

Light At The End Of The Tunnel? CECA Described The Shaw Report As “Vital”

establish why its current funding and operational model was failing to achieve this.

“CECA members want to support these efforts, but with previous experience of major restructuring to industry customers leading to a slowdown in work, had concerns that any change at Network Rail must be managed sensitively to ensure that the current programme of investment is not pushed off course.

“CECA welcomes Nicola Shaw’s findings, which should deliver the vital reforms needed, while allowing existing programmes of work to continue. We are also pleased to see Shaw call for greater efforts to plan skills for the sector. This was another area where CECA members wanted a better approach, and we look forward to working with other industry stakeholders to achieve this, following the Government’s response to the report later this year.”

Mr Reisner also said that measures announced by the Chancellor were welcome, but that CECA would have liked to see a greater level of detail as to their actual implementation: he said, “Having provided a pipeline of forward investment, CECA welcomes steps the Government has taken to start planning for the infrastructure the country will need in the second half of this decade.

“However, we would like to see more details on the proposed timetables of new work, and to ensure schemes announced in this Budget - as well as those yet to be brought forward from previous Budgets - are delivered without delay.”

CECA’s Budget 2016 Briefing is available in the members’ area of the CECA website at: http://www.ceca.co.uk/media/217688/ceca-briefing-budget-2016-16-march-2016.pdf

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Inspiring Change AwardsPromoting Fairness, Inclusion & Respect In Construction

CECA has recognised best practice in promoting fairness, inclusion and respect in the workplace, education, and the wider community, with a suite of prestigious new awards.

A Parliamentary Reception on Wednesday 27 January 2016, hosted by Mims Davis MP, was addressed by Caroline Dinenage MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women, Equalities and Family Justice, and Loraine Martins MBE, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail.

The awards, which were judged by an independent panel of industry experts, were presented by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) to:

Inspiring Change in the Community Winner: London Highways Academy of Excellence

This ground-breaking pre-apprenticeship programme, developed with contractor FM Conway and the Worshipful Company of Paviors, offers genuine equality of opportunity, attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds ranging from homelessness through to first class civil engineering degrees. Candidates are given structured support to overcome some of the barriers that would otherwise prevent candidates from completing courses. This has led to a high rate of completions, which have subsequently been converted into apprenticeships and other jobs, helping to meet the industry’s future skills requirements.

Inspiring Change in Education Winner: Esh Construction

Esh Construction is a North East-based contractor that has taken an industry-

The sponsors of CECA’s Inspiring Change Awards were:

CECA Diversity Awards Presented At Ceremony In Parliament

leading approach to engagement with schools in its area. Rather than work alone, it has attracted more than 100 other businesses to work with it, going into schools to provide sessions with industry speakers, mock interviews and work placements. In the last year alone more than 9,000 school children have been through the Build My Skills system, each meeting with six different employers to get a taste of construction and other sectors.

Inspiring Change in the Workplace Joint Winner: John Graham Construction

The judges saw that the work that Graham had undertaken to build a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect within the business was industry-leading, with leadership from managing director level down through the business and out into the supply chain. FIR Champions at all levels in the business drove rapid changes in the company’s approach, leading to benefits including a significant uplift in recruitment from

Above: The Winners, Sponsors, Keynote Speakers And CECA Staff At The Parliamentary Reception In Westminster

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Network Rail’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion Loraine Martins MBE said: “CECA is to be commended for introducing the Inspiring Change Awards. Increasingly as a sector we are taking fairness, inclusion and respect at work and in the community more seriously, and this is important because it makes us more positive and productive. CECA being able to showcase this work at its best will inspire other small and big businesses alike to improve and make our communities places where everyone can thrive.”

Executive Director for Commercial and Procurement at Highways England, David Poole, said: “Highways England is pleased to support the Civil Engineering Contractors Association’s Inspiring Change Awards.

“We’re committed to drive a real step change in the way the industry recruits and attracts skills from a more diverse talent pool and the Association is doing a fantastic job of harnessing and highlighting work in this area.

“I’d also like to congratulate the two worthy winners of the Inspiring Change in the Workplace category who have demonstrated that great initiatives in relation to diversity and inclusion really do make a difference in the workplace.”

under-represented groups, a massive reduction in staff absenteeism and more than £100 million in business from new customers.

Inspiring Change in the Workplace Joint Winner: Balfour Beatty

Balfour Beatty’s LGBT Affinity Network is seen as an exemplar of what a company can do to inspire change not only in their workplace but in workplaces across the sector. Since its launch in 2014 the network has doubled in size and is supporting Balfour Beatty’s efforts to deliver its three Diversity Blueprint strategy. The network works with counterparts at other leading construction businesses to increase the visibility of LGBT issues across the sector, as does its work with Stonewall and the Considerate Contractors Scheme to develop LGBT toolbox talks.

Inspiring Change SME Award Winner: JT Mackley

The judges chose to commend JT Mackley as an SME business in the sector that was taking a genuinely innovative approach to the challenge of students who might otherwise drop out of civil engineering courses in their first year. The company is providing real-life insight for first year students to demonstrate the reality of the industry as a counterpoint to the theoretical elements learned on their course. The main sponsor for the Awards was CITB, with individual award categories sponsored by Action Sustainability, B&CE, and Highways England. Following a series of supply chain events, the Awards also promoted the launch of a new Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Toolkit for the industry, which is available at: https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/fir/fir-toolkit.aspx.

Commenting, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “I would like to congratulate all of the winners, who were drawn from a field of entrants of exceptionally high quality. CECA is proud to present these awards, which show the steps our industry is taking to further fairness, inclusion and respect in workplaces, schools, and wider society.

“CECA members build, maintain, and upgrade the nation’s infrastructure. It is vital that they have access to the best talent available to do so, and that means attracting the workforce of tomorrow from the widest possible pool. I would like to thank CITB, the awards sponsors, and all those who entered. CECA is already looking forward to Inspiring Change 2017, the next of what we hope will become a leading industry accolade in the infrastructure sector.”

To read about all the entrants to CECA’s inaugural Inspiring Change Awards, visit: http://www.ceca.co.uk/media/210059/ceca-inspiring-change-awards-2016-entrants.pdf

Above: Caroline Dinenage MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary

for Women, Equalities and Family Justice, was a keynote speaker

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Workload Trends 2015 Q4

CECA’s Workload Trends Survey for 2015 Q4 found that growth had weakened yet again in the infrastructure sector. Workloads increased in Q4 according to just 5 per cent of British firms, the lowest balance since 2013 Q2. Seven out of ten sectors reported falling workloads, on balance, with gas reporting the weakest balance (-32 per cent).

Firms increased employment over the course of 2015, but the supply of skilled operatives was the largest concern for firms across England, Scotland and Wales.

CECA raised a note of alarm when publishing its survey, which appeared on the same day that the Office for National Statistics published output in the construction industry statistics for 2015 Q4, showing a 0.4 per cent

fall in the last three months of last year - and a shock 3.9 per cent fall in new infrastructure work.

Commenting, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “What we are seeing is an alarming plateau in infrastructure orders, when we should be seeing strong growth, according to the Government’s forecasts.

“Infrastructure investment is a strong driver of growth in the wider economy. The recent sluggish performance of UK plc is indicative of an infrastructure sector that is yet to reach its full potential.

“CECA has called on the Government to take steps to shore up the UK economy by ensuring that its planned capital investment in the sector goes ahead without delay.”

The CECA Workload Trends Report is published quarterly. In 2015 Q4, the number of contractors taking part in the survey totalled 102. The full report is available in the members’ area of the CECA website at: http://www.ceca.co.uk/members-area/members-only/workload-trends.aspx

CECA has once again raised concerns with Government about the slowdown in growth

Change in Workload and Order Books, Great Britain

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It isn’t surprising that contractors of all sizes get fed up with the endless round of meet the buyer events that, all too often, incur plenty of time and effort, but deliver little in the way of opportunities. With the establishment of The Northern Powerhouse and, particularly, Transport for the North, CECA North West has set about meeting organisations that will play a central part in delivering the schemes that are currently on the drawing board.

With that in mind, it was a refreshing change for CECA North West members to be invited to a meeting with Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester City Council to discuss the forthcoming infrastructure framework for Greater Manchester; ‘discuss’ being the operative word.

While members were informed of the introduction of social value as a

CECA North WestMaking Meet The Buyer Events Worthwhile

North West Infrastructure Projects Coming To Fruition

differentiator for successful bids, they were also asked for their feedback on the content and structure of the framework, from value bandings to the number of suppliers on each lot. Genuinely two-way dialogues like this will go a long way in restoring faith in events to meet prospective clients.

Hard on the heels of the Manchester meeting, we were pleased to arrange a similar meeting with Merseytravel. Another good turnout of members was given visibility of the organisation’s capital programme, and details of the proposed civils framework which is due out in the next couple of months.

Later this spring, meetings are planned with Cheshire East Council and Peel Holdings, and I look forward to having similar open and two-way discussions with them. The Budget introduced further potential opportunities, with the

commitment to HS3, upgrading the A66, improvements to the M60 and M62, and the proposed TransPennine tunnel. These projects will radically improve regional connectivity and competitiveness for commuters across the North and freight operators alike. To date, the HS2 team has worked closely with CECA and its members. Its commitment both to early contractor involvement and to developing opportunities for regional SMEs is encouraging and bodes well for HS3.

With more and more infrastructure projects coming to fruition across the North West, in road, rail and utilities, it is particularly important that the greatest use possible is made of the region’s supply side capacity, and that SMEs are seen as integral to the delivery of these schemes. CECA’s effective meet the buyer sessions will be one way of ensuring that happens.

CECA North West Director Guy Lawson, seen here addressing his members, writes for CECA

Communicates

Above: CECA North West members have recently met with MerseyTravel

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Old Oak Common DepotTaylor Woodrow’s Community Investment

Phoenix High School In Shepherds Bush

Above: Pupils From Phoenix High School From Shepherd’s Bush On a Site Visit With Taylor Woodrow, the Civil Engineering DIvision of Vinci Construction UK

Since commencing on site building the main Crossrail Depot for passenger rolling stock at Old Oak Common in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, the Taylor Woodrow team has pursued a very active community investment programme over the past two years.

Taylor Woodrow’s ongoing relationship with Phoenix High School in Shepherds Bush has involved, for example, the Open Doors Weekend, where staff and pupils were given an opportunity to visit site, pupils attending the Women in Construction event at The Institution of Civil Engineers in Westminster, and going to school functions such as the annual presentation evening in December 2015.

Stand Out Make A Difference Day

Through the ‘Stand out make a Difference’ (SOMAD) company volunteering initiative, Taylor Woodrow has also provided much support for a range of charities utilising the Old Oak Common Depot team. For example:

Senior Project Manager, James Mendis, who has been the leader of a holiday club for the Hitchin Christian Centre, whose vision includes less school exclusions and more young people succeeding in education.

Teams of three on a monthly basis providing much appreciated assistance to Hammersmith Community Gardens Association.

Tom Hanrahan, Senior Engineer (pictured right), carried out tree planting for Surrey Wildlife Trust who manage 82 locations across the county.

Since the summer of 2014 a total of 38 SOMAD days have been utilised by the Taylor Woodrow team at Old

Oak Common, whereby an extra day of leave is provided to employees for participating in charity work.

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Above: James Stewart on Work Placement at the Depot

QPR In The Community TrustA group of young persons from QPR in the Community Trust were given a site tour including a visit to the Operational and Maintenance Control (OMC) building in September 2015.

Later some very appreciative testimonies were received from the visitors, such as: “I was surprised by how welcoming everybody was. I learned a lot about how much hard work it takes to do a job well. But I also learnt that you can enjoy yourself while earning money at the same time, as long as you do your work first.”

Consequently one of these visitors, James Stewart, has just carried out a work placement at the Depot in February of this year. After a full

induction his time on site involved learning about:

• Stakeholder matters including responsible procurement

• OMC construction, especially the internal works

• M & E installation, kindly provided by NG Bailey

• Stabling yard permanent way for Crossrail rolling stock.

James mentioned that he really appreciated meeting staff from different parts of the company, including Taylor Woodrow’s subcontractors, and that he had learned a great deal from the experience and the opportunites afforded by the infrastructure sector.

Hammersmith Community Gardens AssociationPeter Macdonald, M & E Manager for Taylor Woodrow, recently carried out volunteering at the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association. Peter discovered his true vocation as a brickie and occasional hod carrier, being ably assisted by Chris Staples. The required brickwork was successfully laid in one shift.

This structure of London Brick Flettons forms the base of a clay oven that the Community Gardens Association has made with the aid of school children. The oven enables bread to be baked and pizzas to be cooked.

During the lunch break on this particular visit the Taylor Woodrow team ate a gorgeous carrot cake provided by Cathy Knight who runs the School Farm and were given a pot of honey from the Farm

at the end of their endeavours with a note of appreciation being received the very next day.

On other occasions at the Farm our volunteers have carried out the construction of a guinea pig pen; forming timber plant beds; building a timber framed shed clad with recycled plastic bottle; planting tomatoes; and casting concrete hard standing.

The Hammersmith Community Gardens Association is a charity that manages four community gardens, covering volunteer gardening sessions, health and wellbeing projects, environmental play schemes and education in schools.

Taylor Woodrow strongly believe that community outreach provides a lasting legacy for this local charity and an additional benefit is that it has been a great team building event for the groups from the Project that visit the Farm in west London.

Above: Peter Macdonald honing his bricklaying skills

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Industry expert Ann Duffy has been recruited as the M60/M62 Manchester Smart Motorways (MSM) Key Skills Co-ordinator. Several key performance indicators (KPIs) have been set for the first quarter in order to recruit a high calibre of local apprentices on the project.

Most apprentice engineers on the project had only just started college to undertake an already established HNC/HND at a cost of at least £3,000 per year over four years. However, this qualification does not fit the appropriate MSM Apprenticeship framework, so Ann contacted local colleges to identify any institutions that were delivering the Higher Apprenticeship - a more appropriate qualification for the nature of the M60/M62 project.

After several meetings, Ann identified Salford College, who in partnership with Leeds College of Building, are delivering the Higher Apprenticeship on a day release basis over a three year time frame. The Higher Apprenticeship consists of a HNC, HND and an NVQ Level 5 over a three year period. Financially, the cost of the original NHC/HND route as opposed to the Higher Apprenticeship was double that of a Higher Apprenticeship. Securing the Higher Apprenticeship has saved MSM £6,000 per apprentice. Gaining all of these qualifications ensures a trainee engineer does not only have

Highways England are working to improve the M60 by making it a smart motorway between Junction 8 of the M60 and unction 20 of the M62.

Manchester Smart MotorwaysApprenticeship Case Studies

to prove a theoretical knowledge of the civil engineering industry, but has to undertake an on-site practical assessment that they must complete on a day-to-day basis.

Through Ann’s expertise and knowledge she managed to re-locate the apprentices to Salford College to undertake the Higher Apprenticeship. After gaining permission from the college to move learners, MSM agreed a cost with Salford College of £4,000 for the 3 year programme consisting of a HNC, HND and a NVQ level 5 in sustainability. This is a much more cost effective prospect for MSM and its delivery partners. On completion, MSM will also be able to claim the CITB attendance and Apprenticeship grant.

Gaining permission from MSM’s delivery partners Carillion and Balfour Beatty to fund the learners through the Higher

Apprenticeship is testament to their commitment to investing in the future workforce, ensuring that they are highly qualified as well as gaining the experience of working on a highways project.

Higher Apprentice Lewis Shaw said: “I’m really pleased that Ann joined the project as she has championed the Higher Apprenticeship and insisted that we should be signed up to it. This will mean that I will complete my qualification within three years instead of four. I will also be more highly qualified with the addition of the NVQ Level 5.”

MSM Recruit Industry Expert As Key Skills Co-ordinator

For more information on the project, visit http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/road-projects/m60-junction-8-to-m62-junction-20/

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CECA MidlandsManagement Development Programme

CECA Midland’s Management Development Programme Is Run In Conjunction With Assessment Staff from Robert Bilbrough Associates Ltd

For further information about the next course please contact Brian Frost (bmf@cecamidlands.co.uk) or Debbie Westwood (admin@cecamidlands.co.uk).

For more information, visit: http://www.bamnuttall.co.uk/

CECA Midlands’ most recent Management Development Programme has received praise from Edexcel’s Chief Construction Standards Verifier, Greg Skarratt. This followed a member visit to BAM Nuttall’s Halesowen Training Centre where the final taught session was held on 23 February.

During the visit, Greg met with the course members. He found that they were positive in their comments about the programme which they said was current, added to their knowledge of work methods and products and introduced new concepts and ideas which they appreciated and helped them in the workplace. They also spoke

positively about the assessment staff from Robert Bilbrough Associates Ltd, who they said were very knowledgeable and provided appropriate direction to assessment and completion of their programme.

Mr Skarratt judged the assessors and verifiers to be well qualified and have considerable amounts of experience both industrial and commercial, in order to deliver the programme effectively. Commenting on the course members’ NVQ portfolios he said: “These were well structured and show evidence of good direction from assessment and verification staff. Evidence is widespread, blended and taken from a variety of

sources and examples. For instance, workplace observation, professional discussion, witness testimony, question and answering, written recording, electronic recording, digital photography and such like, which are all used to good effect to document the progress and attainment of the learner.”

The next CECA Midlands Management Development Programme is scheduled to commence to commence in June. Managers attend six one day sessions over a nine month period and cover a wide range of construction management topics to provide the underpinning knowledge for the NVQ awards. Topics include: personal effectiveness; planning and control; business writing; leadership and motivation; developing people and teams; business management systems; and Building Information Modelling.

Depending on their experience and job role, course members can achieve a construction management NVQ at Level 6 or 7. The qualifications are awarded jointly by the Institution of Civil Engineers and Chartered Institute of Building and accredited by Edexcel. Level 6 and 7 NVQs allow course members to apply for a “black” CSCS card.

Building Management Skills In The Midlands

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First established over ten years ago, Constructionarium provides a “hands-on” construction experience for students and professionals.

Participants construct scaled down versions of bridges, buildings, dams and civil engineering projects from all around the world. The principle is to link academic institutes with industry and to ensure that the students are able to apply the knowledge they have gained in a practical, safe and relevant environment. The basic model (see above) consists of a triangle formed by an academic institution, a contractor and a consultant; working in partnership to deliver a new learning experience which combines the academic perspective with those of the design professional and practical site delivery.

Delegates are assessed throughout the week in respect to budgetary control, methodology and project management.

Constructionarium is typically delivered as a 6-day working field course at our secure sites.

Inspired by the value derived from the Constructionarium experience by students and professionals alike, and in response to the difficulties experienced by north-east universities in accessing the existing Constructionarium programme, the Owen Pugh Group offered Marsden Quarry, a 75 acre site in South Tyneside, as the site for Constructionarium North East. If successful, this would make the Constructionarium experience accessible to students from universities and colleges throughout the region.

Initial soundings indicated strong support from the education sector together with support from the existing Constructionarium organisation. On this basis a pilot project is planned for the week commencing 27 June 2016. We are now seeking support

from civil engineering contractors for the pilot to ensure that the event runs successfully. Assuming this is the case, volunteers will be sought from the contracting fraternity to join the board of Constructionarium North East.

Any CECA members who are interested in this work, would like participate, or would like to know more about Constructionarium North East, should contact either myself (John Dickson, jdickson@owenpugh.com) or Jan Elliott ( jelliott@owenpugh.com) for further information.

John Dickson of Owen Pugh Ltd writes for CECA Communicates

Constructionarium North East“Hands On” Experience For Students & Professionals

Academic Institute

Consulting EngineerContractor

Above: the Constructionarium model of learning brings together student, contractors, and consulting engineers

Constructionarium

You can find out more about Constructionarium and the work it does by visiting:

www.constructionarium.co.uk

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Above: 23 year old Bethan Jones, a Graduate Engineer at Raymond Brown Construction, appeared in a CECA/Go Construct new entrant video, available

to watch at https://youtu.be/xw6LqSm3bQk

unemployed, career changers, and career returners; employers, from international developers to sole traders, and everything in between; ambassadors, who are those looking to promote the industry whilst working within it; and influencers & educators, such as teachers, lecturers, careers advisers and job centre staff.

I’m an employer. How will the matching service work for me?

If you are a smaller employer, you might just want to give something back to your local community, or access some support for growing your business. If you are a larger employer,

Go ConstructMatching Service

What is the Go Construct experience matching service?

The Go Construct experience matching service gives access to people wanting to experience construction by matching those offering experiences to those looking to receive them. Employers can upload opportunities they wish to promote, such as a visit to their site, or availability to for other people’s activities, such as mock interviews at a school. Schools and other educational institutions can upload opportunities they wish to promote, such as careers fairs or mock interviews, or their availability for other people’s activities such as site visits or careers talks from ambassadors.

What is the Go Construct skills matching service?

The skills matching service is an extension of the experience matching service. The skills matching service will match those looking for employment with training opportunities, with employers offering such opportunities. Matches will be based on a candidate’s skills, experience and interests, against those available for the required opportunities.

Who is the matching service for, and who can use it?

The Go Construct matching service has been designed with four core user groups in mind: career searchers, which includes school leavers, the

you might have some obligations under your corporate social employability programme, Section 106 agreement, or simply want the best talent for your business. The experience matching service will allow you to set up an employer profile, and identify opportunities you would be available to support or ones you wish to actively promote, such as work experience or site visit.

I work in construction and would like to promote it to others. How will the matching service work for me?

You can provide ‘Ambassador’ services to support specific opportunities such

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Go ConstructLaunch of ‘Matching Service’

as career talks. The matching service will help you find the local schools, colleges, Job Centres, and other places which are interested in providing this support. Go Construct also provides resources which you might find useful when delivering experiences of construction, or promoting the sector.

Who is developing the service, and how is it funded?

The Go Construct matching service is being developed through a process of co-design, funded by the CITB levy and facilitated by CITB, whereby employers, educational institutions, government partners and industry bodies are engaged through a consultation process to define what the service needs to be to meet the needs of the user, and capture expert and specialist knowledge to design aspects of the service. The process is funded through the CITB levy. Just over £1.3m was spent on the first phase, of which £1.2m was spent on the design and build of the marketing campaign, website, careers, educational resources, and matching service.

When will the matching service be launched?

The Go Construct campaign launched in September 2015, with the marketing campaign, website and resources available now at www.goconstruct.org. The experience matching service will be launched during Q2 2016, and the skills matching service will launch this Autumn.

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#LondonInfraDebateCECA Co-Hosts Mayoral Hustings

In one of many heated exchanges, the candidates clashed over the funding for future infrastructure projects with Claire Perry calling Sadiq Khan’s proposed fares freeze a “gimmick”. Val Shawcross responded that a large number of efficiency savings could be found within Transport for London’s budget.

On housing, the candidates set out a number of proposals for reducing London’s housing shortage including a ‘Homes for London’ agency proposed by Sadiq Khan. Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat candidate, called for “an Olympic effort” to build the houses required. Wading into the EU referendum debate, Peter Whittle, UKIP’s candidate, emphasised the need

to get immigration under control to lower demand for housing, provoking strong disagreement from a number of the other candidates. All candidates agreed, however, ruled out relaxing Green Belt regulations to allow for the land to be built on.

One issue the candidates all agreed on was aviation, with all present reaffirming their opposition to a third runway at Heathrow and Green candidate Sian Berry ruling out any airport expansion due to climate change and air quality issues.

Climate change and resilience was the last issue to be debated, with Caroline Pidgeon attacking Boris Johnson’s legacy on solar power and clean energy.

On 4 April, along with the the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and the Construction Products Association, CECA co-hosted a London mayoral hustings in a packed Great Hall at One Great George Street. The event was sponsored by Atkins, and speakers from five political parties represented the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties. UKIP was also in attendance, and the event was chaired by leading industry commentator Antony Oliver.

Sadly, the two front-runners in the race - Labour’s Sadiq Khan and the Conservatives’ Zac Goldsmith - were unable to attend, but they were ably represented by London Assembly member Val Shawcross AM CBE and the Rail Minister, Claire Perry MP, respectively. The Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Caroline Pidgeon AM was in attendance, while the Green Party’s Cllr Sian Berry and UKIP’s Peter Whittle completed the panel.

Audience members, led by CECA Southern Director Alan Taylor, asked questions on the themes of infrastructure, investment and transport; housing: meeting current and future demand; airport capacity in London and the South East; skills to deliver the infrastructure London needs; and climate change and resilience. From a straw poll undertaken by the chair, of the more than 400 industry experts present - including 50 CECA members - a large number admitted to being undecided as to how they plan to vote in the mayoral elections on 5 May.

Mayoral Campaigns Square Off In London Infrastructure Debate

Above: CECA Southern Director Alan Taylor (middle) shares a joke with the Rail Minister Claire Perry MP and Sir John Armitt CBE. Mr Taylor was first to ask the

panel a question, when he grilled them on their commitment to the London 2050 Infrastructure Plan

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The Mayoral Infrastructure hustings was streamed live online, and the hashtag #LondonInfraDebate trended on Twitter in the capital throughout the event. A recording of the hustings will be made available online on the ICE’s website. For more information on CECA’s engagement with the London Mayoral Campaign, e-mail marieclaudehemming@ceca.co.uk.

All candidates agreed more needed to be done to increase green local energy generation.

Commenting, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “We were proud to co-host this important chance to interrogate the prospective mayoral candidates on their priorities for London’s vital infrastructure. CECA has long campaigned for a cross-party approach to infrastructure planning in the capital, and this was an opportunity to establish both the common ground that exists between parties, as well as areas where they disagree.

“CECA would like to thank the candidates and their representatives, as well as all those who joined us for the hustings. We would also like to thank One Great George Street for hosting the event, our co-hosting partners, and Atkins for their sponsorship.”

In a joint statement after the event, the organisers said: ““Continued investment in London’s infrastructure is vital if the city is to succeed over the next decade. The next Mayor will play an essential role in ensuring London is able to meet a growing population and an increased threat from climate change whilst remaining economically competitive.

“The candidates present all have very different ideas of what London needs to remain a successful city. What they can all agree on is that infrastructure is at the heart of that debate. The next Mayor will have a lot to do to ensure the city continues to get the investment it needs in terms of transport, energy, water, waste and internet improvements”.

After the debate, candidates attended a reception held in association with Atkins

following the launch of their Future Proofing London report, published in February. At the reception, National Infrastructure Commissioner and ICE President Sir John Armitt spoke about the importance of Government support for the infrastructure sector and Neil Thomas, Managing Director at Atkins, spoke about the need for all Mayoral candidates to back infrastructure investment.

Above: Hands up! There were a large number of undecided voters amongst more than 400 industry experts in attendance

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HS2Project Passes “Major Milestone” In Commons

For more information about CECA’s engagement with HS2, contact CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner: alasdairreisner@ceca.co.uk.

In March CECA welcomed news that the first phase of the HS2 rail line between Birmingham and London has been formally approved by the House of Commons, describing it as a “major milestone” for the project. Following the Third Reading of the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill 2013-14 to 2015-16, the legislation will move to the House of Lords, where it is expected to be passed.

Commenting, CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said: “Today’s news represents a major milestone for this once in a generation project, and will do much to boost industry’s confidence in the scheme. HS2 will form the backbone of Britain’s transport infrastructure in the 21st century, supporting nationwide growth and prosperity.

“At the same time, HS2 must be part of a wide-ranging approach to renewing the UK’s infrastructure. Following on from today’s news, CECA would like to see progress on the delivery of the second phase of HS2, which will drive growth in the north of England, and underpin the Northern Powerhouse.”

The news came after CECA successfully held an HS2 ‘meet the bidder’ event at Birmingham’s NEC. Small companies with the vital specialist skills that will be needed to help deliver HS2 made up the majority of attendees at the first ever meet the bidder event for the project. More than 300 companies took part.

Of these companies, more than 70 per cent were small and medium-sized businesses, offering services from archaeological and ecological consulting to fencing and earthmoving.

Over the course of the day more than 1,200 meetings took place between these companies and the seven joint ventures who will be receiving bid documents for HS2’s £900 million enabling works packages later this month. Delegates travelled from across the UK to take part in meetings, from as far as Belfast in Northern Ireland, Abergele in north Wales and Stirling in Scotland.

CECA Chief Executive Alasdair Reisner said of the event: “We know that delivering HS2 will require the skills and capability of some of the UK and Europe’s largest infrastructure contractors. Yet these companies will also rely on a wide range of small and specialist suppliers, bringing additional value through the extra capabilities that they offer, ensuring the project’s efficient delivery.

“This event provided evidence of the level of support that is standing ready

to deliver across the country once the first enabling works begin next year. This was a terrific event for the shortlisted bidders, as it allowed us to meet an exciting cross section of our potential supply chain,” said LM JV Director Nadia Savage.

“We met some really interesting businesses, from family run SMEs right through to national corporations. The numbers present showed the passion and enthusiasm of the UK construction sector to deliver HS2.”

Third Reading Of High Speed Rail Approved By Commons

Above: More Than 300 Delegates Took Part In ‘Speed Dating’ With Bidders

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Health & SafetyHealth in Construction Leadership Group

The ‘Health’ part of the Health & Safety agenda is without doubt receiving huge press coverage at the moment and I thought I would share with you the involvement that CECA has within a relatively newly-formed group.

Hierarchally, CECA’s involvement starts with CONIAC (Construction Industry Advisory Committee) which is managed by HSE. Its membership is tripartite, including HSE, the unions and industry trade bodies, and is Chaired by Peter Baker, the HSE Chief Inspector of Construction. CECA are represented through Alan Muddiman of Renew Holdings and as some of you are aware, Alan is the current Chair of the CECA Health & Safety Forum.

Last year, CONIAC challenged its members around the ‘health’ agenda and tasked them with ‘doing something different’. As a result, Clive Johnson, representing the Construction Clients’ Group, formed a working group called Construction Health Leadership Group (CHLG), which he now chairs.

The group first met at the beginning of 2015. CECA was subsequently invited to join, and did so in the April of that year. The group is now better known as the Health in Leadership Construction group (HiCLG).

Over time, sub-groups have been formed to look at specific industry issues. These include:

• Baseline data

• Best Practice Hub

• Safety in design

• Mental health

As a result of the initial meeting of the group, it was decide to hold an event for CEOs to enable them to better understand the issues that exist in our industry. The objective of the day was to gain an undertaking from these CEOs to make a commitment to ‘do something different’ too.

A key driver for looking into the health of workers is the little- known fact that there are 1.2 million days lost annually due to work-related ill health in the sector. This equates to approximately a £0.5bn loss in turnover to the industry per year.

A summit was held at the Royal Institution on January 21 2016 with nearly 150 CEOs from across the industry – all were tasked with making a commitment to improving the health

agenda within their organisation and they were also prompted to nominate a key individual within their organisation who would in turn support future events.

This second event (by invitation only) is now planned to take place at the ExCel centre in London on 21 April and is entitled ‘Committing Construction to a Healthier Future – From Commitment into Action.’ It will provide an opportunity to discuss in some detail how organisations manage the health of their workforce.

It will also be used to find out what they are doing around respiratory diseases and mental health. The seminar will focus on actions and further commitments and will be followed by another event later on in the year to collate good practice. The initiative sits perfectly alongside the HSE ‘Help GBWorkWell’ campaign and in particular with the strategic theme ‘tackling ill health’.

“It’s time for change…100 times more UK construction workers die from occupational disease than die from accidents’”

(Construction Clients’ Group)

If you have any further queries around the aims and objectives of the HiCLG please visit http://www.healthinconstruction.co.uk/ or e-mail petercrosland@ceca.co.uk.

CECA National Civil Engineering Director Peter Crosland writes for

CECA Communicates

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If you have any comments about this issue of CECA Communicates, would like to commission an article or advertise with us, or if you are a CECA member with an idea for an article, please contact

Huston Gilmore on 020 7340 0453 or e-mail hustongilmore@ceca.co.uk.

BREEAM & CEEQUAL The Way Forward

CEEQUAL (the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme) is a British scheme developed in 2003, for improving sustainability in civil engineering and the public realm.

BREEAM (Bui lding Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology), first published by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in 1990, is the world’s longest established method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings. The acquisition of CEEQUAL by BRE from CSCS in November 2015 has given the opportunity for the industry to develop a single assessment tool for infrastructure projects. The aim of the single scheme is to bring the significant lessons learnt from the CEEQUAL and BRE assessment tools to deliver more sustainable and resilient infrastructure in the future.

The Way Forward

The first phase of the merger will take place over the next two years during which five BREEAM Infrastructure pilot studies are to be carried out. These will be on HS2, Thames Tideway, the Bridge Valley Road Footbridge, the Lancaster Spine Road, and a power transmission scheme.

The aims of the pilot projects are to look at different types of infrastructure projects and the effect scale has on an assessment. In two years’ time there will be an update to the current CEEQUAL assessment which will result in the development of a revised infrastructure assessment tool.

A key message to members is to carry on doing CEEQUAL assessments under the existing version where possible (and indeed recommend the use of CEEQUAL to clients and the supply chain if appropriate), whilst the pilot studies are on going. There will be the opportunity to provide feedback from the CEEQUAL assessments into the BREEAM Infrastructure project and there is also the opportunity for CECA members to feed comments into the pilot schemes so that they can develop positively.

A Working Group will be established to provide guidance and an oversight on the development of the next scheme (which is yet to be named), and CECA has been invited to be part of the group. The next meeting will be held during the summer.

One of the key questions being asked by the industry at present include ‘what should we be benchmarking against’ and also ‘what are we trying to achieve’ with regard to environmental measurement. A classic question is ‘What’s in it for me?’ and aligned to this is what is business need, and what might the ROI (Return on Investment)

There are a number of questions raised in the above and CECA would be grateful for members’ feedback on any of what has been discussed – either by email, petercrosland@ceca.co.uk or telephone 07717541451.

be. Whilst not directly linked to the CEEQUAL/BRE assessments, these points need to be considered now, so that any new metrics can be filtered into the new scheme which could perhaps provide a whole range of unique selling points which the industry can use for the benefit of all.

As with many initiatives sometimes the message can get lost. However, the original intentions of CEEQUAL - improving sustainability in civil engineering and the public realm - have not changed. Nonetheless, the environmental landscape has, and given that strategies like WRAP’s ‘Halving Waste to Landfill’ in 2008 seem like a long time ago, industry now needs to look forward and agree on what needs measuring and how it’s done.

Despite the Infrastructure Carbon Review being nearly two and a half years old, should carbon now be the ‘new’ mantra – what would constitute a benchmark and how would the industry agree it?