Civils contractors today welcomed the publication of the Government’s Construction Sector Deal, but said that it was now time to match words with action to deliver on its ambitious vision.
The Sector Deal sets out a range of commitments that both Government and industry have agreed upon, including:
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- Government to invest £170m in the ‘Transforming Construction: Manufacturing Better Buildings Programme’, to be matched by £250m of investment by industry;
- Implement fully the commitments made in the CITB Review, to ensure that it is more strategic and focussed on ensuring industry is able to attract, retain, and develop the skills that the sector needs;
- Set the industry aspiration to increase the number of construction sector apprenticeships to 25,000 by 2020;
- Government to make effective use of public procurement to encourage skills development in construction supply chains;
- Take forward investment from both the public and private sectors as set out in the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline;
- Establish more sustainable business models and fairer payment practices across the industry.
Commenting, Director of External Affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Marie-Claude Hemming said: “It is welcome that £600bn of public money is being invested in the UK’s infrastructure in the next decade.
“To deliver on this ambitious programme of work, Government and industry must work together to address the long-standing productivity challenges faced by our sector, and to ensure the right skills are in place in all parts of the UK.
“The Construction Sector Deal sets out a vision for the future and a plan to ensure it happens. Yet, in order to ensure success we must work closely together as an industry and with local and national government, education providers, industry stakeholders and the wider public.
“If done right the Deal will transform our sector, addressing procurement challenges, developing new technologies and investing in our future skills.
“But it is now up to industry and Government to ensure words are met with action, to ensure our shared goal of a reformed construction sector becomes a concrete reality.”
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Notes to Editors
1. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) represents over 300 contractors of all sizes, covering approximately 80% of the civil engineering market in Great Britain. Our members build infrastructure that provides the basis for economic sustainability and quality of life in communities across the country.
2. HM Government publication The Construction Sector Deal is available to download here.