Aug 15 2006
The drive to ensure that Welsh construction companies are at the forefront of new design technologies and sustainable construction techniques is gaining momentum with the launch this month of a Wales wide marketing campaign. Events have been held throughout Wales over the last two months to introduce the principles of sustainable construction to small and medium sized businesses and raise awareness of the associated environmental and economic benefits.
Attendance at many of the seminars has been considerably higher than anticipated and to date more than 100 companies have participated and the hope is that every Welsh construction business, whether in buildings or landscape, will take part in one of these events over the coming year.
The programme is being driven forward by the Consortium for Industrial Training on Sustainable Constructed Environments which was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Knowledge Exploitation Fund with support from the European Social Fund.
The Consortium has a number of industrial advisory partners as well as educational partners that have been instrumental in running these events and developing course material to roll out a training programme for companies in Wales and the rest of the UK.
The Landscape Institute is the latest organisation to join the consortium which brings together the built environment with landscape.
The construction industry is a key sector in Wales contributing some £2.2billion to the economy while the landscape sector comprises 1300 companies with an annual turnover of £30million.
Consortium Project Director Dr David Skidmore said that in order for the construction industry to be kept viable and competitive it needed to be innovative and keep pace with technological advances.
“Sustainability is the most important area to which research progress in materials and techniques and design can make a contribution. It can make a contribution to environmental sustainability through reductions in waste, energy, pollution and the use of non-renewable resources and an enhancement of conservation and biodiversity.
“Attendance at these events has been high which demonstrates the interest from the construction industry and their desire to learn about and use new technologies which can also open up new business opportunities for these businesses.”
Andrew Davies, Minister for Enterprise Innovation and Networks, said energy efficiency and energy conservation was high on the Welsh Assembly Government’s agenda and at the centre of its sustainable development policy.
“We are committed to working with the private and public sector to implement a step change in the adoption of the latest energy efficiency techniques at the domestic, commercial and industrial level.
“The Strategic framework for Economic Development and Lifelong Learning within the Construction Sector in Wales was launched in June this year and one of the objectives is to develop Wales as a centre for innovative approaches to sustainable construction within the broader built environment and the Consortium’s project focuses on achieving that objective.
“Sustainable construction can bring real economic and environmental benefits to Wales and businesses are taking this message on board and have the opportunity to be at the forefront of new design technologies while the expertise and training courses being developed in Wales will set new standards.”