g
“Wewill never work the sameway again, but the experience has undoubtably propelled us forward along themodernisation curve ofmodern business practice.
genuine care for staff and public alike that was evident in every meeting. Taking the best available advice and achieving the support of the HSE meant that, in the absence of any definitive local Executive position on construction, we avoided the forced closures applied to other sectors and gradually and safely returned to work under new and continually monitored working practices. We must now continue to demonstrate the high levels of compliance and responsibility that have been evident to date in order to retain the trust that we have earned and thereby protect economic activity and jobs to the greatest extent possible. The year to date has damaged the global economy and many family businesses will have been severely wounded, both financially and personally, so we now must turn our attention to the recovery to follow. TECHNOLOGY The absence of face-to-face meetings and cancellation of networking highlights such as the Construction Excellence Awards has left many of us more adept at online meetings though craving regular human interaction. We as an industry have had to dig deep this year to introduce robust remote working solutions, new methods of communications, flexibility for working parents and those with caring responsibilities and a devolved level of trust in staff that would have been unimaginable even a few years ago. We will never work the same way again, but the experience has undoubtably propelled us forward along the modernisation curve of modern business practice. From a CEF perspective, the challenge
thankfully the response to date has been remarkable. Mutual support via our numerous new social media channels as well as attendance at online webinars and discussions with patrons and invited experts has allowed members to engage with us and one another in more accessible and valuable ways. The future will certainly retain these options even when we resume actual meetings in person. POSITIVES As we started to engage with every level of authority and government throughout the crisis mainly virtually, sometimes in person, it highlighted the necessity for conducting the business of government more efficiently and utilising readily available technology. Our challenge now is to seize upon the gains made and ensure the public sector does not revert to the old ways. On a positive note, key strands of work the CEF has been leading over recent years seem to be bearing fruit, reflected in the findings of the NI Audit Office Report on Capital Projects, the recommendations of the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Infrastructure and the recent Public Accounts Committee Report on procurement of major projects. Key concerns raised by CEF over the years including dysfunctional and inconsistent procurement procedures, an inefficient planning system, a lack of accountability and a punitive approach to contractors are all now mainstream topics for discussion
and improvement with all local parties as we head towards election year 2022. RECOVERY For our industry to recover in the longer term, we also must grapple with the issue of looming skills shortages, mismatched training and apprenticeship offerings and obvious gaps in diversity of our workforces. Much of the solution lies in changing hearts and minds amongst educators, parents and young people themselves by better demonstrating the range of career opportunities that, if explained in a relevant and age-appropriate manner would allow the industry to compete equally with the more glamorous fintech and professional apprenticeship routes now on offer to school leavers. Whilst 2020 will certainly be remembered for the impact of Covid-19, it is incumbent on this generation to lay firm foundations for the enthusiastic, educated and innovative next generation in construction. As CEF marks its 75th year, it is perhaps reassuring to be reminded of the many crises, economic rollercoasters and prolonged periods of political instability that have underscored our industry over the decades. Our industry continues to show its remarkable resilience and adaptability and having achieved much this year in the face of adversity, we have much yet to do.
has been to retain and build our engagement with members and
www.northernbuilder.co.uk
FOLLOW US ON:
NI BUILDER | 41
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online