Borders Construction Industry Forum – Helping local companies take advantage of work opportunities
Contact details
Key contact: Mark Walton
Address: Borders Construction Industry Forum, East Port, Melrose, TD6 9EE
Telephone: 01896 820 469
Email: mark@bcif.org.uk
Web address: www.bcif.org.uk
In a nutshell
We were set up to respond to reported skills shortages in the construction sector in the Borders area. We aim to help and promote the local construction industry to respond to increased investment in the area. We help local construction companies make the best of all the opportunities that are available.
The issues addressed
With high levels of investment in the Scottish Borders, there was concern that the construction industry was not geared up to meet the anticipated demand and benefit from the volumes of work available.
At the same time, construction work has increasingly been going to workers who have higher accredited skills. While there is not an overall skills shortage, there has been a shortage of people with certain accredited skills in the Borders area.
Over the next ten years it is expected that investment in the regeneration of communities in the area will increase as a result of government policies. There is therefore a need for ‘up-skilling’ – by which we mean making sure that those in the industry have appropriate qualifications.
The approach to the issues
We want to make sure that the local industry is able to compete for the proposed increased construction programmes.
The forum acts as a focal point - promoting and supporting the construction industry in key areas:
• project information – finding potential new work, including reviewing planning applications
• getting contracts – producing guidance on European procurement legislation, making sure people are up to date on current legislation and helping put practices and policies into place
• employment and training opportunities – including first aid courses and health and safety information, such as ‘working at heights’ courses
• organising seminars, conferences and training events.
Setting up the work
Eildon Housing Association led the development of the Forum. They identified the problem of lack of ‘up-skilling’. Local builders were’nt able to take on work because they didn’t have the accredited skills.
A consultation seminar “Facing the Challenge” was held in 2001 with members from the construction industry. From this, the idea of a forum came about.
We secured funding from Eildon HA, Scottish Enterprise Borders, Communities Scotland, Travis Perkins and South of Scotland European Partnership.
Eildon HA initially provided four members of staff to the Forum to take forward the programme. And Eildon HA provided the office premises.
A steering group made up of local contractors, consultants, clients, the College, Scottish Enterprise and other trade organisations meet quarterly.
Evidence of success
Membership of the Forum has continued to grow and through our work, we have managed to create and safeguard jobs in the area.
For example, between 2006 and 2007, we have:
• worked with 35 companies to put a training and development plan in place
• organised local training courses which have been attended by over 350 individuals
An evaluation (June 2006) of our work showed that companies have benefited. The evaluation found that companies have:
• been able to network better and this has resulted in more work opportunities
• accessed more training for their staff - which in turn resulted in more productive, motivated staff
• been able to keep members of staff as they have now received the training needed through the Forum.
One great thing – We are the main point of contact
The main benefit that has come from our work is that the Forum is seen as the central point of contact for the local construction industry in the Borders – and being involved in so many things helps our work. It works from all aspects. Companies contact us for advice and information. We have also been able to coordinate careers information and events. And we have the ability to represent the entire industry in the wider business and social planning activities in the Borders (and even Scotland).
The forum has a growing network of members, currently in excess of 200 companies. And over 450 individuals have attended Forum events
Lessons learnt
• Identify your target group and spend time on getting plenty of background information. We budgeted for what we knew was there but the target group was actually much larger.
• Be ambitious with funding applications and do not worry about getting knocked back. Get the funding you need to get started and build on that. It is then easier to find further funding once you have started the funding process.
• Be prepared for the paperwork to set up your work – don’t underestimate how much work and time it takes to get going.
• Be as flexible as possible and be willing to listen to people’s requirements. Speak to as many people as possible.
• Know what is happening elsewhere and keep your networking going. Talk to other sectors. A lot of what can be learnt is not just from the construction industry.
• Once set up listen to what people would like you to deliver and see how achievable it is. Use a newsletter to let people know what you are doing.
• Remember that you usually have a three month delay between getting the funding agreed and getting staff in place – take this into account when planning.
