The newly elected president of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Pete Curtis, urged members to take responsibility for making a better industry
In a speech in London, Curtis called on everyone in the building services sector to “play their part” in transforming the construction industry’s culture and delivering safer, more sustainable buildings. This includes not relying too heavily on the government and making their own practical commitments.
‘A responsibility to bring about change for the better’
In his inaugural speech, Curtis said: “When faced with something truly seismic, truly transformational – you have to break it down into manageable pieces. For someone working in our industry, that means looking at what parts of a project or process they can influence.
“We do have a measure of control and influence over the people we employ both directly and indirectly – and have a responsibility to use that influence to bring about change for the better.
“So we must ask ourselves: What training are we doing to address our skills shortages? Are we investing in the digital processes that can help our companies submit better planning applications, for example?
“In short, are we compliant? Is everyone who works for us competent to do the specific job for which we have appointed them? And can we prove it? Have we rooted out behaviour that can lead to unsafe buildings?
“These are key questions for all of us.”
Curtis pledged his support to the Skills Legacy programme
During the speech, Curtis encouraged BESA companies to sign the new Member Pledge, which includes a commitment to creating a better construction industry through embedding both individual and organisational competence into business operations and supply chains.
He also pledged support during his presidency to the Skills Legacy programme, which aims to recruit 100 professionals to mentor the next generation of engineers with fully funded training opportunities.
Curtis added: “We have an ageing workforce with more people approaching retirement than coming into the industry. BESA members have identified this as the biggest threat to their prospects for growth.
“Many training centres have stopped delivering building services courses because of historic low demand and many suffer from a critical shortage of trainers and assessors. This is a fundamental problem that undermines any progress we make in promoting the sector to young people.
“So, by offering to share it with a whole new generation, more mature engineers will be making an enormous contribution to the advancement of our industry.
“And what a fantastic way to give something back when you are in the later stages of your career. I, personally, can’t think of anything more fitting for me to champion in my presidential year.”
Unqualified workers but lives at risk, warns BESA
Earlier this month, BESA published a warning in partnership with the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association to warn that unqualified engineers are often putting lives at risk.
A recent project was referenced, in which an unqualified multi-trade contractor was carrying out ductwork, but created fire hazards and health risks due to a lack of safety work during operations.
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