Recently our CEW newsletters have all had a positive feeling. We have championed the progress made in Welsh construction and highlighted growth, ambition and the commitment to doing things right and the pursuit of best practice.

Nothing has changed – the sense of the industry is still positive. But the general atmosphere in Wales is tainted somewhat right now because of the uncertainty around Tata Steel – especially in South Wales. Steel is one of the materials that the world takes for granted. It is not often we stop and consider how much of our day-to-day world is dependent on a product with a root in a steel process. Construction is one such industry. We use steel a lot – so any risks to supply and fluctuations in costs and availability affects our future. That’s why as an industry we want to see steel making stay in Wales.

It's good for Welsh people. It is good for Welsh construction.

Other good news is the agreement to push on with the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), which will have its headquarters at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's (UWTSD) new £300 million Swansea Waterfront Innovation Quarter at SA1. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and a consortium led by UWTSD are behind the £6.5 million venture, which will create state-of-the-art facilities and offer top-class training for construction companies as well as aspiring and current tradesmen. This is the kind of forward thinking we need as a country and as an industry.

What’s more, it is the kind of thing that is neatly summed up in the CEW Awards shortlist that was announced earlier this week. Do check the lists and the details of the projects included. It makes for fascinating reading. But it also reminds us that Welsh construction is in a healthy, positive state. Long may it continue.