Election blues

In an election campaign marked by its lack of vibrancy, there has been little mention of an industry that accounts for 6.3% of total jobs in England.

Much has been made of housing (there always is), but the three main parties don’t mention our world class managers or internationally famed architects. More to the point, they do not talk about how we are going to attract the next generation of people into this industry.

As one of the most successful construction management firms in the UK, we would like to see the Government devote more time and effort in helping plug the skills gap and telling us what they plan to do in the next four years to improve the PFI bidding process.

For instance, I would like to know whether after the election will we be represented in the Cabinet through a legitimate cabinet role – I wait with interest to see how we are viewed by the new government because in the election campaign so far, we seem to be strong but silent.

Our sector is worth some £65 billion a year to the country and perhaps this is the time we need to find our voice!