‘We are not doing enough to change outdated perceptions’

CM May 2023

As an RICS member, I am fortunate to have a colleague who shares their copy of Construction Management with me. This article in particular stood out this month (News, May 2023). We are all responsible for how our industry is perceived by those on the outside and clearly we are not doing enough to change these outdated perceptions.

The rise of social media use for career visibility among young people is going some way to challenge stereotypes. Despite scepticism from some more established professionals, my experience of sharing my career online has been really positive. Campaigns such as Go Construct and The Save Construction Initiative are doing the same on a larger scale, but this counters just one part of the problem.

More needs to be done to address the perceptions of older generations, who are the parents, teachers and career advisers of the young people our industry so badly needs. The solution seems simple to me: individually having more open and honest conversations with friends, family and peers about our careers and the opportunities available in the industry.

Sinéad Clarkson

CM June 2023

I completely agree with Paul Constable’s comment on the quality of residential construction in the UK (Feedback, June 2023).

However, in my experience, it is not just housebuilding that suffers from extremely poor quality control. I estimate over 50% of building works in this country have very little onsite quality control.

I read many articles about moving into digital technology and how this will revolutionise the construction industry. Quite frankly, I feel we are missing simplicity.

It does not matter how much documentation and rules to follow are available if the work under construction is not being professionally supervised at the workface.

Ken Hubble MCIOB

CIOB People 16/05

As a lecturer in construction management, one of the biggest challenges for our graduates in securing jobs in the sector is getting through ‘assessment days’.

For neurodiverse students, I fear this barrier is even harder to get through, especially if there are ‘teamwork’ type exercises which have not considered different forms of communication.

I’m really impressed with how James Crawford has highlighted in his article about his work as a coordinator at Kier the strengths that can be brought to businesses by employing and supporting our neurodiverse community.

Sian Dunne MCIOB, Liverpool John Moores University

CM 18/05

The Palace of Westminster exceeds 900 years of history. The very thought of restoring it with all the details, pride and importance is not an easy task.

From procurement of the trades and materials to the unforeseen areas which have not been touched for centuries – it makes it an extremely difficult undertaking.

The report mentions asbestos. Once this is disturbed, areas need to be closed off and further samples taken, which adds more delays. Addressing low morale, specialist skills shortage and bureaucracy are additional constraints.

Some of the areas are being used while the projects are carried out. There’s also the need for planning for the unknown and the unforeseen.

In a nutshell: it’s not easy. But the building is our political pride and joy and we need it to survive the test of time.

Balfour Burrell MCIOB