As the certified representative body for the construction industry in Northern Ireland, the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) represents the interests of not only its member companies but roughly 65,000 skilled workers engaged within the wider construction sector. The Federation provides services to more than 800 local companies, ranging from burgeoning micro-businesses to some of the largest and most prominent construction companies operating in Northern Ireland. Members of the CEF account for over 70% of construction output here. Influence: Much of the work carried out by the CEF involves using its position to lobby government and client bodies on behalf of the industry. The Federation promotes member views on issues such as public procurement, skills requirements, housing supply, planning reform and waste-water infrastructure. Schemes: CEF oversees a variety of schemes designed to benefit the construction sector, including the Construction Skills Register raising health and safety standards and reducing accidents in the industry; Safe-T- Cert third-party accredited health and safety management system recognised throughout NI, RoI and GB; and the NVIR-O-CERT environmental management system and auditing scheme designed to help companies meet the requirements of NI public sector procurement policy. Construction Futures: Created in 2024, the programme is operated by employers through CEF and employee representatives from the Unite and GMB unions, with an objective of identifying challenges faced by the construction industry and developing meaningful solutions. Showcase: Launched in 1999, the annual CEF Construction Excellence Awards are well established and highly esteemed as a showcase and celebration of the achievements of the NI construction industry. Working for the interests of members and the wider construction industry
“I truly believe that this spirit of common cause persists today, and the sector is no doubt more aligned and speaking more clearly than ever with a unified voice.”
of extraordinary proportions. To some extent, the spate of student accommodation, hospitality and housing over the period flattered the underlying picture and, as those have rudely receded, we see now more boldly the underinvestment in roads, water, health and education. More positively, the on/ off nature of devolved government seems finally to have settled but the current crop of MLAs has been left an unenviable legacy of underinvestment, neglect of public assets and have yet to demonstrate their willingness to consider, let alone implement difficult decisions. That we are halfway through the second year of the new Executive and have yet to see an agreed investment plan hardly inspires great confidence. However, for all its shortcomings, the return of devolved responsibility remains preferable to the void we have all too often experienced. Another significant factor that has become more acute in the wake of the pandemic is the drop-off in an experienced senior workforce. If you want to turn this on its head, the upside of this is the huge opportunity this offers the next generation if we can but persuade them of the career potential in this great industry of ours. That is where the work of Construction Futures, which we initiated in 2023, is starting to make a material impact, and I am particularly
proud of this CEF initiative that is taking ownership of a seemingly intractable problem that government has yet been unable to solve. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE NEXT 80 YEARS? The pace of change in all industries is such that it would be a fool who would predict what might happen in 10 years, let alone 80. That said, there is little doubt that we are starting to understand and harness AI (as the most recent in a series of seismic technological developments) and will soon start to focus on how it will improve productivity, safety and quality. We are regarded, unfairly I believe, as a sector slow to adapt to technology or change, but I do see that changing and, with the inevitable arrival of younger recruits for whom technology is intrinsic in everyday life, I have no doubt we will see innovation and productivity flourish. Construction is always said to be adaptable and has proven to be a survivor sector against others which have fallen away like shipbuilding, linen and even high street retail. The changes ahead of us will continue to be faced better together, as one unified sector speaking with one voice to power, and I am confident the CEF will still be providing its members with that assurance and commitment in 2105 as it has done since 1945.
Contact CEF for further information: 143 Malone Road, Belfast BT9 6SX T: +44 (0)28 9087 7143 E: mail@cefni.co.uk www.cefni.co.uk
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