FMB appeals for SME inclusion in CLC

Following Leo Quinn’s resignation from the Construction Leadership Council, the Federation of Master Builders has released a comment on the future makeup of the Council.

The main point made by the Federation is that representation within the council needs to be broader, including more SMEs to better reflect the construction industry.

The CLC has been thrust into the spotlight following the resignation of Mr Quinn, the Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty. Alongside his resignation, Mr Quinn roundly criticised the CITB voicing his concerns to the Sunday Telegraph, arguing that Industry Training Boards needed the same accountability as the companies that paid their levies.

“Currently, the CITB occupies a pivotal role in providing all of us in the sector with the skilled workers we need,” wrote Mr Quinn. “Bluntly, the present skills shortage shows it hasn’t been doing this for some time.”

The comments about the CITB have now been followed by his resignation as Skills Lead at the CLC, though his resignation has been clarified as “due to long term commitments”. We cannot help but wonder if the two are related.

Created in 2013, the Construction Leadership Council, was developed to help the government in identifying and delivering actions that will support UK Construction industry create greater efficiencies, skills and growth.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said:  “Whoever replaces Leo Quinn as the Skills Lead on the CLC should come from a small or micro construction firm. Construction SMEs train two-thirds of all construction apprentices and are key to resolving the chronic skills shortage in the UK. Small construction firms are champions of quality training and will play an integral role in helping the Government to reach its ambition to deliver three million apprenticeships by 2020.”

“More generally, questions remain regarding how well the CLC reflects the structure of the construction industry. Quinn stepping down presents the Council with an opportunity to take a fresh look at its membership. Arguably it doesn’t currently represent or engage with huge swathes of the construction industry – most notably the private domestic contractor. Professionalising the domestic builder is key to improving the overall image of the construction industry and until we do that, we won’t succeed in attracting the right calibre or number of new entrants into our industry.”

 

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