Building the future
Building the future! Invest in your people. Strengthen your business.
By Steve Ewers MCIOB
Having spent my career in construction, one thing has remained constant: our industry is only as strong as its people.
Over the years, I have seen periods of growth, recession, labour shortages, changing regulations and evolving technologies. Through all of those challenges, the businesses that have consistently succeeded have been those that invest in developing the skills, competence and confidence of their workforce.
For many years I have had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Essex Construction Training Association. During that time, I witnessed first-hand the value that construction training groups bring to employers, particularly small and mediumsized businesses that may not always have the resources to manage training and development independently.
As the organisation evolved, it became clear that the challenges facing construction businesses extended far beyond Essex. At the same time, Eastern Builders Safety Group had established itself as a respected industry-led organisation built on the principle of supporting construction businesses through collaboration, practical guidance and shared expertise.
Recognising the closely aligned values of both groups, and against a backdrop of reduced CITB funding and support, which had contributed to a number of regional training groups closing their doors, a decision was made to bring training and safety together under a broader regional vision.
This created an opportunity not only to strengthen what already existed, but also to ensure that employers across a wider geographical area continued to have access to the support they needed.
The result was the transition from Essex Construction Training Association to Eastern Builders Training Group( E B Training). The change was about far more than a new name. It reflected a commitment to supporting construction employers across the wider Eastern region and to ensuring that businesses continue to have access to high-quality training and development opportunities.
As CITB support reduced and gaps emerged in the provision of industry-led training support, E B Training sought to help fill that void. Already extending its reach beyond Essex, the organisation provides a practical resource for employers who continue to recognise the importance of investing in their people.
This regional approach, founded on the shared values of collaboration, competence and industry support, remains at the heart of everything we do.
Today, as a director of Eastern Builders Training Group( E B Training), I remain
26 www. britbuild-magazine. co. uk