The future of the construction industry in the UK is dependent on an image overhaul, increasing innovation and more confidence. That’s the views of a group of industry experts who gathered for the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group Chairman’s debate in Central London.
To an audience of marketers from every section of the construction industry a panel of experts including Peter Hansford, the Government’s Chief Construction Advisor, agreed that the industry needs to change in order to prosper.
Peter Hansford said: “The Government sees construction at the heart of the economy and we wish to use construction as an enabler of growth. We want to identify what we can do to take the industry forward.
“In construction the statistics show us that this recession is going to last twice as long as previous recessions have. It’s tough but there is a good potential for growth.
“Innovation has to play a key role. We know that throughout the industry people are innovating but it’s all hidden. We need to bring it out and identify any barriers to further innovation.”
The panel also included Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, James Pargeter, Partner at Deloitte Real Estate, Denise Bower, Professor of Engineering at the University of Leeds and Diana Montgomery, CEO of the Construction Product Association. In a lively debate it was agreed that there are many aspects of the construction industry which could be improved for improvement.
Brian Berry, from the Federation of Master Builders, said that an image overhaul is needed, “It remains that the building industry has an image of mud and boots and for many roles this just isn’t the case anymore. The construction industry needs an image overhaul, we need to show that skills are important and that the industry offers a rewarding and multi-faceted career path.”
There were also calls throughout the room for an end to the stop start nature of investment in the industry.
Denise Bower, a Professor of Engineering at the University of Leeds, said “The stop/start nature of investment in the construction industry frustrates the supply chain. It disrupts the process and this loses productivity. It breeds a lack of confidence and we have seen the number of apprentices drop because of this as they fear there will not be a long-term career possible.”
The debate ended with much optimism for the future of the construction industry and the potential which is still to be unlocked, with many agreeing that the foundations are in place – it’s now just time to start building up again.
