Milica Kitson, chief executive of Constructing Excellence in Wales, says Welsh construction can go much further than anyone believes: all it needs is a chance to prove itself
EVERYONE knows that Wales needs serious investment in its infrastructure.
The Welsh Government has identified a number of important schemes and the benefits of them in its Welsh Investment Infrastructure Plan (WIIP).
All of these are going to be of great importance to Wales when they are completed both in terms of jobs for the local communities they affect as well as the wider economy.
But none of them have the scale of, say, the Olympics or Commonwealth Games: we think there is a need to think bigger.
This doesn’t mean that the Welsh Government has got it wrong.
What it means is that by taking a different point of view and adopting a bolder approach to what is going to benefit Wales we, as a country, not just the construction economic sector, can create a blue print for a truly world-class Welsh built environment.
An approach similar to that taken for the delivery of the London 2012 Games is needed in Wales.
Yes, we need to improve transport links. Yes we need better schools and hospitals.
But why not go beyond that and create the infrastructure to complement the WIIP. Welsh commercial property will be boosted. Welsh jobs will be boosted. Welsh construction will be the delivery mechanism.
Just as the London Olympics has galvanised and showcased the skill and tenacity of UK construction, the same results can be achieved in Wales for the Commonwealth Games if Cardiff makes a bid to host the 2026 Games.
Indeed, the similar results can be achieved across all the major projects needing to be delivered in Wales.
It can be done too – we have the capability. Of the 40 or more exemplar and demonstration projects showcased by CEW many are landmark schemes that illustrate that Welsh construction cannot just build well, minimising waste, reducing carbon and benefiting local people, it can build big.
But delivering these major projects is also about giving Wales what it needs and making sure it is provided in the right manner.
These schemes – improvement of the M4, new rail links, schools, flood defences and IT/broadband networks – can only be done effectively and meet Welsh Government targets by adopting the best practice collaborative procurement methods.
That means major projects can only be delivered via a team approach.
That team has to encompass the whole Welsh construction sector – the entire supply chain from specialist SME, product suppliers to designers, engineers and builders.
It needs a focus. It needs the support and leadership of Government.
We think that focus can come from the industry and Government working together.
So far the Welsh Government is moving in the right direction but with an open dialogue, or even partnership with the construction industry we believe a lot more can be achieved for Wales – faster and better.
That’s why CEW is aiming to influence the delivery of these major projects by setting up a new task group to interact with Government.
Our next step is to talk to the appropriate Ministers and produce a report that underlines exactly what Welsh construction can do for Wales.
Last time we did something like this Government backed us and commissioned a total rethink of procurement.
That was called No Turning Back. Now it is time to move forward together and think bigger.
