Industry Leaders Meet to Discuss the Future of Construction

Key topics such as planning restrictions, skill shortages and the necessity for cultural change were discussed at a high level debate attended by the industry’s leading voices, as UK Construction Week’s expert advisory panel met for the first time.

Enthusiasm for the event has been growing massively and the advisory panel sees leading inspirational players from the spheres of architecture, construction and politics examine their thoughts and ambitions to help shape the future of the show. The seminar content will be guided by these discussions to ensure a programme of relevant and heartfelt material is delivered successfully.

During these discussions it was evident that the panel members, with their shared commitment to promoting construction growth, felt that UK Construction Week had come along at a crucial time for the industry. TV presenter and architect George Clarke commented: “We need a cultural shift in how we deliver construction in the next five years.”

One of the most fundamental issues from the debate was the urgent need to solve the problem of skills shortages and attempting to attract more young people into construction. Dr David Hancock, Head of Construction at the Cabinet Office, felt that now is the opportune time to invest in up-skilling young people to meet with the demand that will come from the £125Bn of upcoming public sector and infrastructure projects, which will require a workforce that is both ready and highly trained.

Mark Clare, CEO of Barratt Developments suggested that another way to deal with the skill shortage is to ‘build more with less people’, such as off-site and industrialised construction processes, especially if the industry is to meet the target of 200,000 new homes per year.

This idea was expanded upon by Redrow CEO, John Tutte, who drew comparisons between the future of the house building industry and the processes of the automotive industry. Mr Tutte envisaged a different skill set being required for the new generation of construction worker, seeing a shift from traditional trades such as plumbing and electricians to a more generalised ‘service installer’ role.

While there seemed general agreement that a step towards a more manufacturing based approach is vital to the industry’s future success, the panel pointed out that this move was very much dependent on local authorities, who tend to avoid standardised construction methods, showing a greater flexibility. Sir Terry Farrell, founder of Farrells architecture practice suggested that the rigidity and restrictive nature of modern town planning has seen planners become “the traffic wardens of the built environment.”

Universally concluding that UK Construction Week will give an indispensible space for the Industry to come together in a period where a combined approach is absolutely essential, the advisory committee will be meeting again at the show to help direct and form the future of construction.

Richard Morey, Group Event Director at Media 10, the company responsible for UK Construction Week said: “ It was a privilege to take part in this debate and to be joined by so many leading figures. Hearing them talk so passionately about the need for the industry to work towards a new future was really inspirational and certainly confirms our belief that the time is right for an event that brings the whole sector together.

“Our task now is to take the crucial feedback and insight we have gleaned from this panel meeting and translate that into the seminar programme for the show – this process is well underway and we are confident the event will deliver a schedule of content that is absolutely on the money for the current industry climate.”

UK Construction Week takes place at the Birmingham NED from 6th – 8th October and will combine nine shows under one roof, bringing together 1,000 exhibitors with an estimated audience of 55,000 visitors. Visitors will be able to attend the Build Show incorporating Civils Expo, Timber Expo, Kitchens and Bathroom Live, the Surface and Materials Show, Energy 2015, Plant & Machinery Live, HVAC 2015, Smart Buildings 2015 and Grand Designs Live.

For more information, please visit http://ift.tt/1N9jdXi or follow @UK_CW 0n Twitter.

The post Industry Leaders Meet to Discuss the Future of Construction appeared first on UK Construction Online.