New sole mates

Some relationships are so tempestuous that both sides fail to see the beauty and mutual benefits of simply getting along. You know the type - think Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. And when it comes to construction, think industry and academia.

Yes, both these camps have been more than happy in the past to indulge in a very public mud slinging over how graduates and postgraduates should be trained in construction. The result of this bitter bickering has led to a whole heap of mistrust and lack of understanding of each other’s roles.

Industry felt that universities were great for all that academic stuff, but when it came to knowing what to do on-site, graduates simply didn’t have a clue. However, by attacking universities, industry revealed its own short-sightedness by failing to see how further education could play a role in attracting and training the right people to deliver what was needed for the future.

Higher education argued the industry should put up or shut up. If it wanted a particular type of graduate, companies should stump up cash for sponsorship and contribute to course content.

Sir Michael Latham, chairman of CITB-ConstructionSkills believes this mutual suspicion has gone on for far too long. He says: “There has been a feeling that neither side recognises what the other believes to be vital and a worry that to produce an effective partnership will require too much negotiation about each other’s core principles.” Just like any good relationship counsellor, he advises industry and academia to work closer and get to know each other better.

It appears that both sides have taken these words on board. What we are now seeing is that industry and academics are now more willing to make an effort to carve out a meaningful relationship.

Latham says there needs to be a commitment from industry pressure groups to continue to develop and deliver courses that place the needs of the sector at the centre of the curriculum, both in content and teaching methods. But action should not just be limited to the UK. So, standards are also being developed with the industry and higher education across Europe to ensure compatibility.

According to Accelerating Change in Built Environment Education (ACBEE), things are already changing for the better. The body encourages industry, universities and professional organisations to work together, and recently held a conference entitled ‘Progress Through Partnership’ that highlighted successful collaborations and debated the way ahead. So what’s changed?

Cutting-edge curriculum

Latham, speaking at the event, told the packed audience of industry professionals and academics that post Egan, more and more universities see part of their role as being “purveyors of knowledge” with a purpose for business and industry. And at the same time, industry is waking up to the role that universities can play in delivering quality graduates to meet its needs.

Some universities are already well ahead of the game. For some time now the University of Salford has run a sponsored BSc in Construction Management and a wealth of industry supporters feed into the curriculum. In another project, Sheffield Hallam University has teamed up with the Peak National Park Planning Authority, to provide a course that gives second-year students studying surveying technology an insight into the planning system as well as data collection, drawing, design and sustainability. Groups work on a project that is based on a real site.

Professional bodies like CITB-Construction-Skills are also helping to lead the way. One of the biggest breakthroughs came in March with the industry’s Sector Skills Agreement (SSA). This is a package of agreements between training providers, employers and government to address current and future skill needs. A crucial element of this course is to ensure funding is geared to courses that will make students more employable and match industry requirements. The argument being that theory is clearly gained in the classrooms, but experience comes from on-site training and practice.

Another major project that comes into force this autumn is the CITB-ConstructionSkills scholarship, aimed at attracting the brightest students into the industry. The ambitious scheme will offer 60 undergraduates £9000 to support them through university.

Show them the money!

The “Inspire Scholarship Scheme” is already backed by some of the biggest names in the business such as the AMEC Group, Mowlem and Balfour Beatty who have ploughed thousands of pounds to match the £500,000 pledged by ConstructionSkills. Employers will offer ten week placements that will offer on-site training. It is also hoped they will provide placements for those on sandwich courses and ultimately employment upon graduation.

This scheme highlights the need for more money to be ploughed into construction to help the industry. Some doubt that the government will help. Professor Peter Westland of Sheffield Hallam University told the conference it was more likely to go to schools and the NHS. But the industry cannot do it alone.

Considerable pressure is being put on Government to review how to fund construction courses by both Latham and John Hobson, ACBEE chairman. Hobson would like to see more incentives to universities that meet the needs of industry and employers. Rather than rewarding higher education institutions on how popular the course is or the number of students, which is what happens currently. Unfortunately, he is unsure on how this could actually be achieved, but believes dialogue with government and other professional bodies would start the ball rolling.

Latham is looking for a funding formula that allows students to leave the lecture theatre and work on-site or in an office developing practical skills. ConstructionSkills has already reached agreement with the Learning and Skills Council to begin to address funding of the further education sector, as part of the delivery plan for the SSA.

This link of industry and universities in the education process is crucial. ACBEE say it will not only create national and regional partnerships, but also what it calls a ‘knowledge supply chain.’ This would be capable of delivering the number and quality of graduates when and where industry needs them.

That project is still a long way off, but in the meantime both sides have got to keep on showing respect for each other. If this happens, then clearly it will be the basis of a fruitful, mutually beneficial relationship. If not... Well, we all know what happened to Burton and Taylor.

When Universities and industry collaborate effectively they become a major force. ACBEE is identifying cases that demonstrate good practice across a range of courses. To view them all, visit www.acbee.org but just to whet your appetite...

Queens University Belfast and HSE NI

Students investigate disasters to show the impact on civil engineering practice. As a result they will learn to identify hazards and appreciate the responsibilities of engineers and other professionals.

MSc Construction Law and Arbitration

Leeds Metropolitan University and visiting faculty from the legal profession

Taught components are delivered by full-time staff and practising legal professionals to ensure that students keep abreast of the ever-changing legal environment.

MSc Interdisciplinary Management of Projects

The Bartlett School, London and BDP, Bovis Lend Lease, Davis Langdon, The Happold Trust, John Doyle Group, Land Securities, Mace, Schmidlin, Skanska, Taylor Woodrow and WSP.

Designed for tomorrow’s industry leaders, the programme takes forward the new post-Egan Strategic Forum led agendas and draws on significant contributions from leading UK organisations in and outside construction.

MSc IT Management in Construction

University of Salford and Construct IT consortium

The emphasis here is on managing IT to deliver strategy, maximising integration and improving organisational performance. The course offers flexible study and strategic development.

Rethinking decision making on strategic risks

Institution of Civil Engineers and the Universities of Bath and Bristol

This is a partnership between a professional institution, university researchers and industrial collaborators to undertake a programme with executives from industry that would assist in future decision making on strategic risks and opportunities.