Welsh construction and Wales as a whole put itself firmly on the UK and global map last Friday night. With around 450 people celebrating together at the Celtic Manor all that is great about construction and another 50,000 or more enjoying Welsh football success over Belgium it was a big night all round!
Building on last week the prospects are good for all of us.
Welsh footballers might be at a major tournament for the first time since 1958, Wales’ construction, design, engineering and built environment support services sector is already set to lead the world with the advent of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon. The full story and its implications is available below or via the BBC, it is just one of a series of landmark schemes that Wales can look forward to.
As well as applying best practice principles to the planning and delivery of schemes such as Wlyfa nuclear power station in Anglesey, the M4 improvement and the electrification of the railways we should also pause a moment and take in what we have already achieved.
Welsh construction – because of its commitment to collaboration, team working and the focus on long term whole life costs and value has delivered. In the CEW Awards 2015 it is estimated that the shortlisted schemes had a total value of £230 million and benefited around 195,000 people. The contractors and supply chains involved supported 30 charities, delivered 150 sessions at local schools and colleges, put in 1,125 volunteering hours and facilitated 130 International Baccalaureate qualifications. All of this is tangible, measured, verified value. Less easy to benchmark, but no less important to the communities involved, are the reports of project staff picking up litter, donating materials and equipment, helping to set up social enterprises, installing park benches, resurfacing car parks – even establishing an angling club.
Everything that is built has an impact that extends far beyond bricks and mortar. The built 20% of the economy enables the remaining 80% to perform. Every pound spent must be made to work to the benefit of economy, environment and society.
The construction industry has the potential to galvanise the Welsh economy and improve the built environment for future generations. But only if we do it right.
