This week saw the latest round of funding for the Green Deal re-open giving home owners an incentive to make the choice to carry out energy improvement works on their homes. With Wales having some of the largest stock of terraced housing in the UK and many homes – privately owned as well as those within the social housing sector – requiring work to become more energy efficient this remains a great opportunity for Welsh SMEs. However, the work has to be done right. Homeowners, social housing landlords and builders cannot simply specify any products or recommend the most convenient process. These homes need assessing by qualified experts and the right materials and processes agreed that will have the best and most sustainable impact upon lives of Welsh people have to be put in place. But the expertise of Welsh builders will have a role and it is our trades, our skills and our people that will turn any ambitions for the Green Deal into a reality, to find out more by contacting the team at  CEW.

There are plenty of ways for our industry to have an impact – and not all of them are on a building site or in a board room. Two worth highlighting relate to the ‘good’ all of us can do throughout the supply chain. The first is an idea that is being championed by Peter Hansford, the UK Government’s chief construction advisor. He is calling for construction companies to Adopt a School to educate children that construction should be a great career choice. Please visit the Class of Your Own web pages to find out more. The second is fundraising for good causes via our connections and sheer goodwill. Last week the G4C group raised over £500 for the Orkidstudio charity – something really positive at this time of festive cheer and goodwill.