President of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) Andy Sneyd (pictured) said that an understanding by all parties to the construction process of the operation of the entire supply chain is essential if the UK industry is to achieve and maintain genuinely world-class status.
President of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) Andy Sneyd (pictured) said that an understanding by all parties to the construction process of the operation of the entire supply chain is essential if the UK industry is to achieve and maintain genuinely world-class status.
Mr Sneyd was speaking at the B&ES President’s Luncheon, which was held at the Skyloft, Millbank Tower in London on 4 September.
He also said: “For this ambition to have any chance of fulfilment, we must recruit into our businesses the brightest and best of today’s young talent. And we must educate them – not only in the skills and competences required within our own discipline, but also in the overall construction process.”
He said that the industry must invest in education, training and development programmes that are “truly broadly-based” and “fit-for-purpose” in order to build a workforce that “will ensure the future success of our own organisations.”
“We will also spread the word that the construction industry can offer a stimulating working environment, profound job satisfaction and the opportunity to think and act innovatively and creatively.”
In addition, the president pointed out that in its recently published industrial strategy Government had acknowledged the central role construction plays in the prosperity of the nation.
“Our industry is a key enabler of our economic recovery – as well as being critical to the achievement of national and international climate change targets in the years and decades to come. In other words, construction is important – and how it is led, organised and managed is crucial to every man, woman and child in the country.”
He said that B&ES members have long prided themselves on their competence and professionalism but that there is a great deal more to the design, construction and commissioning of modern buildings than simply the technological aspects.
“Absolutely key to our ability to address today’s challenges is the existence of a well-trained, well-managed and well-motivated team, at every level of the workforce,” Mr Sneyd insisted.