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Inspirational women builders, the value of CIOB membership, and government plans to invest in construction apprentices topped this year’s news list
- The greatest women builders of all time
To mark International Women’s Day, CIOB People celebrated inspirational women throughout the history of building.
Barbara Jones, founder of Straw Works, was voted by our readers as the greatest woman builder of all time.
Read more about Jones and the full shortlist here.
2. One in five CIOB members earns more due to membership, report shows
CIOB’s inaugural Construction Salary and Market Trends Survey 2024 was published in March.
The research report revealed that one in five CIOB members has earned more as a result of professional membership.
According to the findings, 69% of CIOB members also earn more than the national average.
Read more here.
3. Construction skills hubs to train 5,000 more apprentices
In November, the government announced plans to launch 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs as part of a £140m construction industry investment.
The skills hubs will provide 5,000 more construction apprenticeships to help boost homebuilding in the UK.
Read more here.
4. CIOB Awards 2024 winners announced
Galliford Try project manager Barry Kingscote scooped the prestigious CIOB Construction Manager of the Year title at the CIOB Awards 2024.
He received the award at a packed Hilton London Metropole in April, following a glittering black-tie ceremony.
In the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category, East Riding of Yorkshire Council senior project manager Katy Robinson received the individual award for her contribution to the NAWIC Yorkshire campaign, which is championing the provision of inclusive PPE across construction.
Read more here.
5. Balfour CEO warns of ‘critical skills challenge’ in offshore wind
Balfour Beatty’s CEO has raised concerns about urgent skills shortages facing the offshore wind sector.
Posting on LinkedIn, Leo Quinn said more needs to be done to address the “critical skills challenge” in order to “upskill and attract the expert individuals needed to deliver offshore wind projects”.
Read more here.
6. Transpennine Route Upgrade expands wellbeing support
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) project has joined forces with the Lighthouse Charity to provide wellbeing support for the workforce.
The partnership will work alongside TRU’s other wellbeing services to increase access to support across the project, which spans Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.
Read more here.
7. Bricklaying skills programme launched for ex-offenders
In January, the Association of Brickwork Contractors (ABC) announced a partnership with the Ministry of Justice to deliver a bricklaying training and rehabilitation programme.
The programme is designed specifically for those who are soon to leave prison and are seeking employment.
Read more here.
8. Concerns raised over AI-generated online training
In early 2024, the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) issued a stark warning regarding AI-generated online training courses.
The trade body raised concerns about the risk of non-UK specific and outdated content.
Chris Ridge, TICA’s technical director, urged anyone signing up for online courses that may be generated using AI to “be aware that they may not contain the relevant information that meets UK compliance standards”.
Read more here.
9. Construction and EDI leaders pledge support following sexism row
Industry leaders gathered in December to discuss the fallout from the On The Tools Awards 2024, where women dressed in skin-tight, hi-vis jumpsuits were hired to help promote the event.
Following the event, EDI expert Harriet Waley-Cohen published a LinkedIn post criticising the decision to hire women dressed in “hyper sexualised outfits designed around construction safety kit”.
In response to the fallout, construction and EDI leaders pledged their support to help On The Tools improve its strategic approach to promoting EDI in the industry.
Read more here.
10. Considerate Constructors Scheme mandates PPE for women
Following the launch of CIOB’s #PPEthatfits campaign, the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) announced a new requirement that mandates the provision of women’s PPE.
The policy covers all CCS annual registered sites across the UK.
Read more here.
Find more news stories from CIOB People here.
