Improving the Image of Construction: Reshaping the construction industry
Author: Ross Sturley, CIMCIG
The Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIMCIG) Construction Industry Group’s annual debate looks to address the challenges faced in improving the image of the sector
The CIMCIG event will look to address address the Image of Construction
Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast Consultancy is one of the keynote speakers who will headline a major industry debate on improving the image of construction, organised by CIMCIG, the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIM) Construction Industry Group on Thursday 16 May.
The annual debate, which takes place at London’s Palace of Westminster, House of Lords, will look to address the challenges in attracting new talent to the industry, having workforce diversity, the ability to deliver cost-effective innovations and busting the many misconceptions of the sector.
Joining Mark in the panel on discussing the many challenges of improving the image of construction and the possible solutions on tackling the issues will be Sadie Morgan, director at dRMM Architects, Mark Reynolds, Chief Executive of Mace Group, Sam Stacey, challenge director of transforming construction at UK Research and Innovation and Jade Lewis, director of advocacy at Saint Gobain.
In 2016, Mark Farmer was commissioned by the Construction Leadership Council to undertake an independent review of the UK’s construction labour model, focussing on the skills pressures and other constraints that limit housebuilding and infrastructure development in the UK.
The result was Farmer’s 2016 report, Modernise or die: The Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour Model, which called for radical steps to be taken in reshaping the industry. The debate aims to unite professional leaders across a variety of disciplines within the construction sector to discuss the current situation, the key issues, and the actions the industry must take to respond effectively to the issues raised in the report.
Mike Lomax, chair of the CIMCIG, said: “The demographics of our industry are such that we are now losing more people each year than we are gaining. Too many people have the impression that working in the sector simply means getting your hands dirty on site, which of course is untrue. Construction has something for everyone, and it’s our job as marketers to dispel the myths surrounding our industry and attract the best and brightest talent the next generation has to offer. The debate will create a forum where people from across the sector can discuss how to redesign our market to deliver better results and become more attractive to top talent.”
“As Mark Farmer has highlighted, there is a deep-seated reluctance within the industry to change the way it operates. But with the challenges around Brexit and the reality of an ageing workforce, embracing modernisation is now a necessity not an option; and that applies to marketing departments and PR teams, not just the labour workforce.”
The debate will also include networking accompanied by a luncheon and afternoon tea. Guests are advised to book early to secure their places, as due to the nature of this event, bookings cannot be accepted after the 08 May 2019.
For more information or to book online, click here.