Company Announcement - “The construction industry stands at a crossroads,” Dr David Hancock, Head of Construction at the Cabinet Office told an audience at this year’s NEC Users’ Group Seminar on Monday.Delivering a presentation entitled ‘Delivering the vision of Construction 2025’ to more than 240 NEC contract users at the Institution of Civil Engineers’ One Great George Street headquarters in London, Dr Hancock added: “Having survived the recession and with a full development pipeline ahead, it’s time to collaborate as an industry, to future-proof construction and change it for the better.

“In order to meet the targets set by Construction 2025, we need to make the industry more accessible and more attractive to young people, incorporating a wider range of skills than those traditionally associated with construction, as we adapt and move into the digital world.” Broadening perceptions of the construction industry was also highlighted as an opportunity to close the gender gap, moving away from the traditional image of construction as macho, dirty and physically demanding, and raising awareness of the increasing roles played by those in IT, risk management and consultant advisory services. Dr Hancock reiterated the importance of collaborative working, underpinned by a strong contractual framework: “Good contracts won’t necessarily lead to good outcomes, but poor contracts will inevitably lead to poor outcomes.  Once the contract is in place, behavioural competencies are at the forefront of many successful projects, promoting collaboration at all levels of the supply chain. “As members of the UK construction industry, we want to be known for our talented and diverse workforce, use of technology and the way in which we efficiently deliver sustainable outcomes to drive growth across the economy.”

The NEC Users’ Group seminar is the highlight of the NEC calendar and an essential diary date for members and non-members who use, or have an interest in NEC3 and its developments. During the sell-out day-long event, a programme of keynote speeches, interactive workshops and panel sessions took place representing an unprecedented forum for project management and procurement discussion and networking. Dr Hancock was followed by speeches from Simon Rawlinson, Member of the BIM Task Group Core Team and Partner at EC Harris LLP, Tim Cummins, from the International Association for Contract and Commercial Management and Phil Bennett, Network Rail’s Finance and Commercial Director for Infrastructure Projects (Southern Region).

The seminar provides an opportunity for NEC users to share best practice, get the latest insights from industry studies, and network with fellow users and solutions providers. As interest in and uptake of NEC products and services continues to grow year on year, the event also offered attendees an invaluable opportunities for industry professionals to gain insight into how NEC3 is being used to invest in infrastructure both across the UK and internationally.  The Hong Kong Government has recently committed to using NEC contracts for all its public works, and once again, a delegation from Hong Kong was in attendance to share best practice and learn from its UK counterparts.

The event concluded with first ever NEC Users’ Group Awards, established to recognise and celebrate the world’s finest examples of NEC3 contract collaborations. The winning submissions will now be championed globally as the pinnacle of contract collaboration.
Rekha Thawrani, general manager for NEC: “We’re thrilled with the overwhelming success of this year’s seminar and the first ever NEC Users’ Group Awards. “Once again, this sell-out event was a wonderful engaging mix of insightful presentations, interactive workshops, panel discussion and excellent networking opportunities for attending delegates. “This event is a standout opportunity to publicly recognise and celebrate the world’s finest examples of NEC3 contract collaborations so congratulations to our sterling and inspirational award winners. Many thanks to all our key speakers and all the users who joined us.”