One of the themes CEW has been championing in 2016 is the idea of construction as the great enabler. 

News that Coastal Housing is offering training and employment opportunities during the construction of new homes including houses, bungalows and flats close to the town centre is exactly the kind of example we have been talking about.

Neath Port Talbot Council secured £10.1 million of funding from the Welsh Government's Vibrant and Viable Places programme to undertake a number of regeneration projects in the town centre. The housing development is one of 11 projects in Port Talbot's Regeneration Programme which will see over £30 million invested in and around the town over the next few years.

You can read more about this in the South Wales Evening Post, but the key thing is that this scheme will help create a range of different areas that encourage people to live and work in town centres. One core outcome is the aim of providing training and employment for local people. It works because construction is more than just delivering great buildings, roads, hospitals and homes – it is about contributing to society and enabling people and communities to not just develop, but thrive.

Construction can really make a difference in Wales. That’s why we need to show off about the successes and share the learning from best practice. It is why you should consider entering the CEW Awards for 2016.