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Construction Web at Build To Last

Wed 7 Dec 2005

The Delegates Before the Event		The Tea and Coffee Room
Construction Web's Lloyd Heath attended the ConstructionSkills Build To Last event on Thursday 1st December 2005. Held at the prestigious Thomas Telford Theatre, One Great George Street, it was an opportunity to explain Build To Last and discuss the issue of sustainability. The Chair, Peter Rogerson, Deputy Chairman at CITB-ConstructionSkills, stood in for Sir Michael Latham and welcomed everyone to the event. He then gave an overview of the items on the agenda and made some very interesting points: Construction companies produce 80 million tons of waste every year. Hazardous waste has increased 25% in the 4 years ending in 2002. Consideration for sustainability issues is being demanded by the public. Sustainability is an opportunity rather than an obligation. Build To Last encompasses the what, where, why, and how something is built. The Build To Last strategic plan aims to make sustainable construction the industry norm in the next 10 years. He went on to mention the barriers, such as the low positioning of the sustainability issue on the list of corporate priorities, the disjointed client/designer/contractor relationships, and the short-term calculation of costs and benefits. These points were measured against themes for action such as an increase in the industry’s understanding of sustainability. Developing the skills needed to implement sustainability across the industry, ensuring there is the right climate for change, and developing and sharing experience and best practices so that the  industry can learn more quickly.
Peter Rogerson		Peter Rogerson & Annie Hall
Annie Hall, the Head of Sustainability at CITB-ConstructionSkills then took centre stage and passionately spoke about the route to sustainable construction being a 10-year strategy. The action plan consisted of: Developing skills which encompassed a high-level skills framework, skills /provision needs and analysis, briefings/short courses- for clients- designers- management staff and contractors. Lobbying to create a climate of change. Encouraging clients to translate policy into actions. Understanding Sustainability. Creating and communicating good practice. Annie Hall made reference to the delivery of the plan. For it to all work fluidly, it needed strategic direction led by the SSC, and delivery, by a ‘Delivery team’ of partners.

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