Everyone knows that Wales needs serious investment in its infrastructure, but has the Welsh Government identified the right schemes in the Welsh Infrastructure Investment Plan (WIIP)?

The WIIP is a good document, picking out some great ideas that will benefit Wales when they are completed both in terms of jobs for the local communities they affect as well as the wider economy. But do the ideas go far enough? We think that with some encouragement and support from Welsh construction – which means CEW stakeholders – Wales should be thinking bigger and bolder.

This doesn’t mean that the Welsh Government has got it wrong. We believe by taking a different point of view and adopting a bolder approach to what is going to benefit Wales we can create a blue print for a truly world class Welsh built environment. Welsh construction can go much further than anyone believes: all it needs is a chance to prove itself. By working hand in hand with Welsh Government industry can help create a document that takes the great work in the WIIP and then adds a bit of fuel injection to take it even further.

Milica Kitson outlined some of this in the Western Mail. 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. Welsh commercial property will be boosted. Welsh jobs will be boosted. 

A ripple effect can be achieved across all the major projects needing to be delivered in Wales and Welsh construction will be the delivery mechanism. But such major projects can only be delivered via a team approach that encompasses the whole Welsh supply chain and it needs the support and leadership of Government. 

We think that focus can come from the industry and Government working together. 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.