News
Call for short-term boost to help long-term recovery
Green Deal launch warning n
Steve Bratt, ECA group chief executive officer, has responded to the recent
Construction Product Association (CPA) figures that predicted an upturn for the sector is 12 months away, by calling for a short-term stimulus to boost long-term recovery. Bratt commented: ‘Times are still challenging for the construction
industry. More and more firms are tendering for a smaller pool of work, and the projects which are available have slim profit margins.’ Bratt continued: ‘The launch of PF2, announced
in last year’s Autumn Statement, and the Chancellor’s pledge to invest £5bn in infrastructure will, I hope, lead to a revival of the education and
n
The government’s failure to promote the Green Deal
could undermine the initiative’s chance of success, the ECA has warned. Paul Reeve, ECA head of
Business Policy and Practice, said: ‘The Green Deal is meant to be a flagship energy policy for the government, but while it has been high on policy statements, it has been desperately low on marketing. Most of the key target audience – the public – don’t even know it exists.’ A YouGov survey
commissioned by the ECA in December 2012 showed that only two per cent of the British public fully understood the Green Deal and 62 per cent have never heard of the initiative. Reeve added: ‘The potential savings and environmental benefits to
6 ECA Today March 2013
homeowners, businesses and the economy could be lost until the public become not just aware of, but enthused by, the Green Deal. ‘Right now, even awareness
would be a major step forward. Businesses will do their best to promote the Green Deal, but the government needs to start showing the public the potential benefits the scheme will bring by cutting their bills.’ Reeve continued: ‘After months
of confusion about precisely what improvements are eligible, and how the scheme is to be operated, now is the time for the government to make the public aware of the role that quality tradespeople will play in delivering the Green Deal. This is a real chance to create work and jobs for contractors across the country.’
Reeve concluded: ‘With
continually rising energy prices, the public are eager to get their energy bills under control. ‘The majority of people who
responded to our survey said they were interested in a Green Deal- type scheme in principle, even though very few had heard of the Green Deal itself. ‘The government must help
convert potential enthusiasm into real action.’
healthcare markets, which are crucial to the sector’s long-term success. However, what construction really needs is a short-term shot in the arm. The government’s investment is very welcome and gratefully received, but we need a boost now in order to lay the foundations for a long-term recovery. Funding for shovel-ready construction projects would provide this, and this is something we need to see sooner rather than later.’ Bratt added: ‘As a sector that often plays the final part in the construction or refurbishment of a building, electrical contracting may face a longer wait for recovery. However, there are opportunities available for firms if they diversify into new markets. This year sees the launch of the Green Deal and the Renewable Heat Incentive, two initiatives that will provide openings for the electrical contracting sector. In addition, the on-going carbon reduction agenda means the repair, maintenance and improvement market has tremendous potential for electrical contractors. Because of the emphasis working in this sector places on client relationships, this market offers a strong possibility for repeat business, welcome in times of economic turbulence.’
NET backs apprenticeship calls
National Electrotechnical Training (NET) chairman Bob Harris has backed calls from the Policy Exchange think tank for the term ‘apprenticeship’ to be protected – and recommends that an assessment of competence be part of the structure of every specialist apprenticeship. Harris said: ‘NET fully supports Policy Exchange’s recommendation of limiting the term “apprenticeship” to three-to-four year, high quality apprenticeships. ‘However, any definition should
reference industry-approved measures to assess whether an apprentice is competent and ready to work unsupervised in the full scope of their discipline once their training has been completed.’
SHUTTERSTOCK/AUREMAR
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