Trowers & Hamlins

Construction professionals from across the UK gathered in Central London on Wednesday 15th June 2011 for the launch of updated guidance highlighting how the National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) ‘Client-based Approach’ can harness the power of public procurement to address industry skills needs.

Construction professionals from across the UK gathered in Central London on Wednesday 15th June 2011 for the launch of updated guidance highlighting how the National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) ‘Client-based Approach’ can harness the power of public procurement to address industry skills needs.

Co-authored by CITB-ConstructionSkills and Trowers & Hamlins LLP, the guidance offers benchmarks to help public sector companies achieve proportionate employment and skills on a variety of construction contracts in wide ranging sectors, such as residential, retail, health, regeneration, infrastructure and education.

Speaking at the event was Paul Morrell OBE, Government Chief Construction Adviser, who outlined the guidance for local government, central government and contractors to develop and implement an EU-compliant Employment and Skills Strategy on construction projects.

Paul Morrell said: “We must ensure that at both the national, and local, level there is a clear and straightforward process by which those who need to embed the developments of skills at the heat of the construction procurement process can do so. This new guidance on the Client-based approach from CITB-ConstructionSkills makes great progress in achieving this and responds directly to our drive for a modernised, skilled industry, and to the localism agenda. It will enable local authorities, without incurring additional cost, to address the specific needs of their local economy.”

The NSAfC is led by CITB-ConstructionSkills. Jamie White, Head of the National Skills Academy for Construction and Commercial Strategy, added: “It has long been recognised that local authorities have an opportunity to channel proportionate amounts of training and employment opportunities through their own capital works programmes and through their powers under planning policy and development control.

“What has been missing is practical guidance and advice that provides a simple framework for local authorities, their contractors and the supply chains to respond effectively to this opportunity, and this is where the guidance is helping to meet these needs, which is especially important during the challenging economic climate.

“A number of local authorities have already embraced the guidance and today’s event aims to increase awareness and adoption of the guidance from other local authorities that could benefit from help in this area. It forms part of our ongoing efforts develop the right skills for growth, both locally and nationally.”

Co-author of the guidance Dr David Mosey adds: "We are already seeing the tangible outputs from the successful implementation of Client-based Approach on live projects. I was delighted to witness first hand at the launch today the enthusiasm towards the approach amongst local authorities, central government and contractors alike."

For more information, visit www.cskills.org.