Foreword: Tony Blair

I am especially pleased that the organisers of this evening's event have agreed to raise money for the Construction Industry Trust for Youth.

The awards tonight will go to the best in the business in one of the UK's most important industries. The UK construction industry generates 10% of the UK's gross domestic product, and employs 1.4 million people. UK designers, civil engineers, contractors and component and product manufacturers also have an excellent international reputation and are now ranked in the global top 10.

The UK construction industry's work – at home and overseas – cannot, however, be delivered without continued attention to training and improving skills at all levels. Some significant strides forward have been made by the industry over the past years. But the industry must now redouble its efforts and work even harder to improve training and to genuinely engage with the education community. These efforts will, I'm sure, be supported by the activities of the Construction Industry Trust for Youth.

As you may know CITY assists young people, either as individuals or through support to community projects, whose social or personal circumstances act as obstacles to access to those skills. I am therefore grateful that, in celebrating your own industry's undoubted prowess and best practice, you are also willing to help others to start on that path. With your help, Building magazine will raise money for a very worthwhile cause. I hope you will give generously and have an enjoyable evening.

I offer my thanks to the editor and staff of Building magazine for ensuring the success of this event. The evening would not be possible without the efforts of the generous sponsors of the awards, and I would like to extend my thanks to them also, and to those who have willingly given of their time to help with the judging. I also offer my congratulations to all those who are among the winners tonight for the exceptionally high standard of their entries; it is these high standards which help to ensure the continuing, major contribution of your industry to the UK.