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October 10 2018 Brunton's Blog | General
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Brunton’s Blog
10/10/2018
Competence within the construction industry – have your say!
The Hackitt Review published in July this year is focussing the attention of the construction industry to develop and ensure competence of individuals and collective groups of individuals, among other considerations. The recommendations of Hackitt were far reaching in respect of highlighting how the UK construction industry should change, and as a result the IRG (Industry Response Group) was formed.
The IRG, made up of key industry organisations including BuildUK and CPA (Construction Products Association), whom SPRA are members of, will deliver through the CPA focussed working groups in twelve key areas addressing industry change. The twelve working groups will complete their work by the summer of 2019 reporting to the overarching co-ordinating Steering Group. This is part of the process to implement industry change in how we deliver buildings in the UK.
SPRA will participate in Working Group 12 – Products (WG12). The group, although at an exploratory stage having met just once to date, will relate individuals or collective groups of individuals competence in the context of products (materials).
From a SPRA member’s perspective this could mean, although yet to be determined, that the focus is centred on a product’s path from manufacture through marketing, commissioned design, procurement, installation and aftercare, perhaps even recycling and final waste. Effectively SPRA membership are involved in most if not all stages outlined above and therefore competence of individuals and collective groups of individuals is necessary and critical.
It may be that products used in the construction of a building will be analysed with a view to trying to ensure that at all stages the right level of competence exists. SPRA members go further than most in this respect having a framework based on product quality through testing and certification and quality installation through training and inspection. However, the robustness of our systems may need to stand up to independent testing.
The whole process involves ensuring the competence of individuals in getting the right product from the factory to the project site (in our case roof) and installed correctly to meet appropriate Building Regulations and any other client requirements. A key question might be; can we demonstrate competence throughout our systems to back up our claims? Competence must be derived from training but also experience, and together with knowledge must play a significant role.
This week we held our SPRA Workshop during UK Construction Week at the NEC. Competence through training etc were openly discussed with attendees. There were presentations given on a variety of topics and these will be available on the SPRA website in due course. A presentation on the Hackitt Review was included giving more detail on the specific recommendations Hackitt made and this indicates why competence is at the root of the review.
As progress is made we hope to keep you fully informed concerning the WG12 working group. More specific detail on competence, assessment and verification will be discussed in this blog in the coming months hopefully making the subject informative and relevant for all members.
Let’s focus on taking advantage of the opportunity by making this industry significantly better for all. We can do this by providing feedback to SPRA on any related issues allowing it to be taken forward though WG12 and help shape the necessary changes that our industry has to make.
The UK construction industry will continue to go through a challenging period in the coming months and years as it attempts a cultural change.
As always appreciate any comments!