Let's get noticed!

Chris Blythe rightly states that the public needs reason to value the CIOB (CM, April). My perception is that they barely know of its existence!

If you ask the average person in the street "who builds buildings" you are likely get the answer "architects". Builders are defined as bricklayers, electricians, plumbers and plasterers. This is not without good reason, as the majority of the public only have contact with tradesmen and if planning an extension will have been advised to employ an architect.

If you look in Yellow Pages under 'builder', you'll see many adverts that carry Federation of Master Builders or The Guild of Master Craftsmen logos. Both have panel adverts listing their members but there is nothing advertising the existence of the CIOB. Perhaps Chris should heed this marketing mantra: to raise awareness you first need to have a presence in the marketplace.

Until the CIOB members make their qualification known, or the staff of the CIOB are successful in persuading government to regulate by qualification all building trades, the CIOB and its members will not receive the recognition deserved.