Scotland’s public sector and construction industry have launched the Scottish Construction Accord (SCA) – the first of its kind in the UK.
It is aimed at creating more thriving businesses, while improving working conditions for employees.
Partners hope it will also lead to better quality and help the sector to become net-zero.
In addition, the new “accord” highlights the need to improve the capability and diversity of the workforce, reform procurement practices, and increase the use of digital technology and modern methods of construction.
We need to bring in new and diverse talent and ensure the whole workforce has the competencies to support the future of the industry.”
Peter Reekie, chief executive, Scottish Futures Trust.
The potential for the construction industry and public sector to work together towards progress in each of these areas was identified by the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland in its Delivery Findings Report, presented to the Scottish Government in July 2020.
Following a period of consultation earlier this year, the SCA was officially launched by Business Minister Ivan McKee and industry leaders acting through the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF), a collaboration between the government and private sector.
Its implementation will be driven by a “transformation action plan”, with working groups focusing on key priorities for industry-wide development.
Construction sector ‘vital’ for Scotland’s economy
CLF has called on industry stakeholders with “ideas and capacity” to participate in working groups to get in touch through its website, and for anyone interested in updates on the activity to register as a network member.
Mr McKee, who is also CLF’s chairman said: “The construction sector is vital for Scotland’s economy, employing more than 130,000 people and playing a key role in delivering Scotland’s just transition to net-zero.
“This industry-wide accord contains a real commitment to ensuring construction remains a valuable contributor to the economy, while delivering change aligned with our National Strategy for Economic Transformation.”
The minister added: “As a major investor in infrastructure, the Scottish Government has a strategic and important role to play in ensuring the industry is fit for the future.
“The construction accord heralds a new shared commitment from industry and the public sector to work together to transform the construction sector – for the good of the industry, the economy and the country.”
According to Peter Reekie, chief executive of infrastructure body the Scottish Futures Trust, and chairman of the executive group of the CLF, both the SCA and forthcoming transformation action plan are recognition “change is needed”.
Mr Reekie added “We can only deliver it by working together.
“We need to bring in new and diverse talent and ensure the whole workforce has the competencies to support the future of the industry.
“And we need to build and maintain assets in different ways, using different materials to deliver a net-zero, carbon-built environment.
“These changes must be underpinned by procurement and commercial arrangements which support sustainable and profitable businesses throughout the supply chain, investing in the future and delivering fair work for all.”
Construction Scotland Industry Leadership Group chairman Ron Fraser, said: “The construction sector encompasses the design, manufacture, construction and maintenance of the built environment that supports us all and offers an incredibly varied, satisfying and rewarding career to people of many different backgrounds and talents.
“Those who work in it know it could achieve much more for all its stakeholders if some things were done differently – not least the ways in which we do business together.
“The accord is an opportunity for the industry, its public sector customers and the Scottish Government to work together to discuss and agree the nature of those changes and to see them through to implementation.”
Open invitation
Mr Fraser, who is also co-chairman of the CLF’s transformation subgroup, added; “I would encourage all who have a keen interest in the future development and transformation of the sector, and who can bring their experience and knowledge to the dialogue process, to register an interest in getting involved.”
Further details about the SCA are available on the CLF website.
Video: Find out more about the new Scottish Construction Accord
Conversation