It’s a shame that more contractors didn’t make it to the ECA conference in Rhodes. Maybe they were too concerned about their carbon footprint.

Had they made the flight (and offset the emissions, of course) they would have heard some interesting stuff. Delegates were told how the m&e industry is at the cusp of a brave new world where contractors sit at the top table, advising clients on sustainable building services and working on an equal footing with the design team (pages 20-22).

As usual there is a caveat. ECA president Bob Hall wondered whether the industry was up to the challenge or even ready for it. This was backed by SummitSkills’ Dr Mike Hammond who unveiled findings from the Horizon research report. Contractors can’t see overseas firms stealing their business. Contractors haven’t got the skills to engage in a flourishing market for new environmental technologies. Contractors don’t benchmark so they don’t know their strengths and weaknesses.

The industry is indeed at a transition. The truth is that the training and skills on offer are no longer fit for purpose. Why aren’t renewable energies part of the apprentice training programme? Why does training largely stop at NVQ Level 3? Where are the technicians, engineers, estimators and quantity surveyors of the future going to come from? The industry’s skills development needs a radical overhaul. No wonder contractors are losing work in the sustainable arena to more qualified workers from Germany.

The conference raised more questions than it answered and much hard work is needed if that place on the top table is going to be earned. Make sure your opinion is heard as to the way forward.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor