Construction minister Nigel Griffiths has told ECA members that retentions will become a thing of the past and best value must be adopted widely.
Changes in procurement practices will render retentions a thing of the past and m&e contractors must enjoy the benefits of best value selection if the industry is to move forward. This was the positive message delivered by construction minister Nigel Griffiths as he addressed the audience at the annual dinner of the ECA.

"I share your concern about retentions," said Griffiths in a video address to a packed Great Room at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. "I believe that we can adopt radical improvements in contractual practices and render retentions unnecessary."

On best value in procurement, Griffiths recognised the need for change: "I know we have a long way to go here. But the public and private sector must adopt these principles if we are to take the sustainability agenda seriously."

Griffiths also concurred with the ECA on the proliferation of contractor qualification schemes: "The president mentioned the problems of duplicated qualification requirements. I agree. We need to review and amend the law."

Earlier, ECA president Charles McKinnon had attacked the government for making the change from National Training Organisations to Sector Skills Councils too bureaucratic. "It has to be said that bureaucracy, I regret to record government driven, was appalling. We got there in the end, but what a wasteful journey," said McKinnon.

The ECA president was also concerned that recruitment to the electrotechnical sector was being harmed by lack of appropriate funding. "With more young people being encouraged by current government policy to remain in higher education, sources of government financing must be more flexible in offering fully-funded packages for NVQ training to older teenagers and adults."

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor