» OVER RECENT YEARS , THE UK construction industry is being driven to increase its levels of competence across the whole sector by the UK Government .

Defining competence as “ the combination of training , skills , experience and knowledge that a person has and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely .” The Government has been pushing the bar higher and higher , setting out how it expects the industry to define competence and how is responds to new measures .

A huge amount of progress has been made here through a combination of legislation , standards , committees and working groups . The GAI is pleased to be right at the heart of this process and has been helping to increase competence within its own sector for over 60 years .

Here are some of the recent developments within this area :

1 . Dame Judith Hackitt ’ s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety

The Hackitt Review , “ Building a Safer Future ”, was strong in its criticism of the construction industry and the report identified the existence of a “ race to the bottom ” culture across the UK construction industry . One of many recommendations made in the report was the requirement for increased levels of competence throughout , with the construction sector and fire safety sector demonstrating more effective leadership for ensuring building safety .

2 . UK Building Safety Act 2022

Receiving Royal Assent and becoming an Act of Parliament on 28 April 2022 , the Building Safety Act Introduced the most fundamental reform of regulation across the

construction and residential property sectors in living memory . It transformed the law relating to design and construction of all buildings , as well as the operation of higher risk residential buildings . It has impacted the work of everyone in the construction sector . It should be noted that whilst the Act focuses on in scope high rise residential buildings , this is the biggest change in regulation of the construction sector in some considerable time and will have ramifications for any buildings of any kind going forward . The necessary change in culture required to achieve the proposed requirements will be the driving force behind this wider spread of focus . Although the Act is limited to England , it

is felt that the other devolved nations in the United Kingdom will adopt their own versions to tighten up on building safety requirements UK-wide .

3 . New British Standards Institute ( BSI ) competence standards

BSI has developed a framework of documents which will raise the standards of competence across the built environment . In addition to the publication of the new British Standard Flex 8670 in 2021 , BSI have also published three new standards which will impact three key roles – Principal Designer ( PAS 8671 ), Principal Contractor ( PAS 8672 ) and those involved in building safety management ( PAS 8673 ).