Following the consistent support from the construction sector to remain in the EU, the referendum result was a surprise to many. This has been followed by substantial concerns over the effect on client confidence, the project pipeline, the flow of labour and a range of other issues. Whilst there will inevitably be a period of uncertainty for construction, the decision to leave the EU has been taken and we have the option of focusing on the problems or seeking out the opportunities. 

There will be plenty of discussion about what may or may not happen even before the UK formally gives notice to the EU. The priority will be to deal with the short term issue of stability and confidence in the market whilst we understand the process of withdrawing from EU membership. The Government must support market confidence by adopting a business as usual approach and providing re-assurance that the public sector construction pipeline will remain on track.

Build UK will identify and prioritise the key issues that directly concern our members and agree a plan of work to ensure that the industry is ready to engage with the CBI and Government. Collaboration across the sector is vital to ensure that a strong collective voice on the key issues is presented and the best outcomes for the industry are achieved enabling everyone in the construction supply chain to flourish.

The next steps for Build UK will be:

• Work with the CBI and Government to understand how the exit process works
• Identify and prioritise the key issues that directly concern the industry
• Understand the desired outcome on each issue
• Use our position to influence the decisions taken and resulting legislation.

As a member of the CBI, Build UK is supporting its call for a clear plan of action from Government along with strong decisive leadership. CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn’s letter to The Times is available to read here.
 

Following the publication of the Build UK Training Standard which implements the Construction Leadership Council’s recommendation on industry card schemes, Build UK Trade Association Members continue to work with industry to bring their cards schemes in line with CSCS requirements.  

The Certificate of Competence for Demolition Operatives (CCDO), which is the scheme operated by the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), has changed its requirements. From 1 September 2016, all existing skilled worker cardholders now need to:

• possess or be working towards attaining an industry relevant NVQ
• successfully complete the Demolition Health, Safety and Environment Touch Screen Test
• attend a National Demolition Training Group (NDTG) approved asbestos awareness course and approved CCDO course with end test.

The CCDO card scheme has also gone SMART, meaning that a Demolition Operative’s training records can now be accessed on-site using a card reader, online facility or android smart phone, making it easier and quicker for sites to assess if an operative has the correct skills to work on-site.

The National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS), the scheme recording plant operators’ training and assessment, has also been awarded the CSCS logo after successfully completing their audit. The scheme will now operate two card systems, one for construction related occupations which will carry the CSCS logo, and one for non-construction related occupations, which won’t.

All NPORS cards for construction related occupations now require the operative to attain an industry relevant NVQ. Transitional arrangements are being introduced for operatives whose NPORS card does not have a CSCS logo:

• A blue Competent Operator card will be available for operatives who have achieved an S/NVQ
• A new red Trained Operator card will be available for operatives who do not hold an S/NVQ, and will be valid for two years. During that time operatives will be required to achieve the S/NVQ for their plant occupation and move on to the blue Competent Operator card.

The changes to the CCDO and NPORS scheme not only meet CLC requirements but also give main contractors the confidence that cardholders are trained to the highest standards.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE said:

“This is a real demonstration of Build UK showing leadership by setting a standard, sticking to it and the changes that then follow.”

For more information on the scheme changes, please visit the NDTG and NPORS websites.
 

Construction employers and unions have reached agreement on an improved two year pay and conditions deal for workers covered by the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement.

The first 2.5% increase on basic rates of pay will be introduced from Monday 25 July 2016, with a further increase of 2.75% to be introduced from Monday 26 June 2017.

The hourly rates cover general operatives, skilled and craft workers, and apprentices. For apprentices in the second or final year of training who are aged between 21 and 24, the National Minimum Wage must apply. This is currently £6.70 per hour for someone aged 21 to 24 and will increase to £6.95 per hour from 1 October 2016.

For apprentices aged 25 and over and in their second or final year of training the National Living Wage must apply. This is currently £7.20 per hour for someone aged 25 and over, and will increase from 1 April 2017.

Taxed daily travel allowance, which will come into effect as of 1 August 2016 and will now be calculated in miles rather than kilometres, will also increase by 2.75%. The non-taxed fare allowance will increase by the Retail Price Index (RPI) for the 12 month period to March 2017, subject to HMRC approval.

The non-taxed subsistence allowance of £36.00 per night will be increased in-line with RPI for the 12 month period to March 2017. New fare and travel allowance scales, as well as a new subsistence allowance, will be promulgated in May 2017.

Industry sick pay will be £118.00 per week and will increase to £122.50 per week from 2017.

Full details of all the new CIJC rates can be viewed on the Build UK website.
 

Open Doors proved a fantastic success with 130 Build UK member sites opening their gates to over 3000 visitors to inspire them to find out more about construction and the extensive range of careers that the industry has to offer.

The event, which took place from 13 – 18 June and was a joint initiative with CITB and Go Construct, with support from the Considerate Constructors Scheme, featured fantastic involvement from Build UK members who opened a range of high profile sites, projects which will help regenerate local communities and company offices in order to showcase the what the industry is all about to the public.

A record number of sites from across England, Scotland and Wales were involved in the initiative and included London’s Design Museum, a children’s hospital in Edinburgh, an  Aerospace Centre in Bristol and a state-of-the-art school and sports facility in south Wales. Former builder and The Only Way is Essex star Jon Clark launched the event at Willmott Dixon’s Summit House site in London, and media partner Construction News provided in-depth coverage of Open Doors activities throughout the week from sites across the UK.

Open Doors had been revamped for 2016 and represented an exclusive opportunity for those considering a career in construction or looking for something new to go behind the scenes of some of the most innovative and engaging projects currently in development, and have a closer look at the inner workings of a ‘live’ construction site. With construction set to create an estimated 157,000 jobs over the next five years, and the issue of skills and recruiting the next generation of workers high on the industry agenda, the event was the perfect platform for Build UK to promote the diverse and exciting nature of construction and encourage visitors of all ages and skill levels to explore the vast range of career options that are available to them.

Build UK Chief Executive Suzannah Nichol MBE said:

“It was amazing to see so many Build UK member sites welcome such a large number of people and showcase what construction is all about. The success of events such as Open Doors can only benefit the industry, and we hope that our visitors have experienced what motivates us to come in to work every day and are inspired to explore what construction can do for them.”

To see how the week unfolded, take a look at the Story of Open Doors 2016. For more information about the opportunities that are available in construction visit the Go Construct website and take a look at the Build UK ‘Get Into Construction’ film.
 

Build UK has launched its first State of Trade Survey to obtain a detailed picture of the state of trade within the construction industry.

The new survey has been created in partnership with Glenigan, the trusted provider of UK construction project sales leads, market analysis, forecasting and company intelligence. Build UK is seeking the views of both Main and Specialist Contractors on their current experiences of the industry.

The fully revised survey covers key areas such as enquiries, output, capacity, margins, tender prices, training and skills, payment and disputes. The findings are extremely useful to Build UK when carrying out representation on behalf of its members, providing valuable insight into current and future trends. Build UK also contributes to the industry-wide quarterly State of Trade Report compiled by the Construction Products Association (CPA) to provide an overview of the whole sector.

The survey only takes a few minutes to complete and please help us to help you by sharing your views on the state of trade in the last quarter. The survey can be completed online via the Build UK website and the deadline for responses is Friday 22 January 2016. 

All information provided will remain confidential to Build UK and those companies that submit data will receive a copy of the final report produced by Glenigan.