A new project to help small businesses access large construction contracts through collaboration has been launched in the Yorkshire and Humber region.
The Target programme, set up by business matchmakers VEN Management and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, is a new contract support initiative to help construction businesses from Yorkshire and Humberside win more contract opportunities during the economic downturn.
Target will help groups of businesses collaborate to win significant contracts which they may have been unable to win on their own.
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR BADLY HIT
The National Business Survey report recently highlighted that construction was the second worst hit sector in the region with 22,600 jobs estimated to be lost between 2007 and 2010. Target will address this by helping regional businesses in the sector win more contracts through sourcing and promoting viable opportunities, and working with business groups to identify any potential barriers. Target will also be holding ‘Meet the Buyer’ events throughout the region and will signpost businesses to the appropriate support channels to ensure that they are fit to compete for future contract opportunities.
VEN Management already has a working agreement with the YORbuild initiative on the importance of local supply chains. This procurement framework will offer significant contract opportunities for construction businesses on capital work commissioned by local authorities and other public sector bodies in the region.
Nigel Leighton Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services for the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Chair of the YORbuild Project Team said: “We are pleased to be working with VEN Management and Yorkshire Forward in the delivery of the initiative Target. Using the YORbuild Framework for the procurement of Construction Projects brings major benefits to Local Authorities, Public Sector Bodies and Third Sector Organisations within the region, and we are hopeful that by working with Target we can ensure that local project opportunities are maximised throughout the supply chain”.
Target also aims to help construction companies to boost their skills and will work with partners across the region such as the FMB and ConstructionSkills. The project will signpost relevant courses and training to help businesses become more ‘supplier ready’
TARGETED ADVICE
Nicola Anderson, from VEN Management, said: “Construction accounts for the largest spends for Local Authorities within the Yorkshire and the Humber Region. Around £1.2 billion per year is spent on Construction Services, representing 30 percent of the regional Local Authorities’ external expenditure.
“Target is aiming to help construction companies in the region win more business from the public sector organisations represented by YORbuild – as well as highlighting other public and private sector contracts available from inside and outside the region. For some of the contracts, businesses will need to work together wand this is where VEN’s experience in managing collaborative contracts will be vital for companies bidding for the work.”
Helen Shackleton, from Yorkshire Forward said: “Yorkshire Forward and VEN Management have been working over the last few months to ensure that this programme is as robust as possible and will be able to assist construction businesses in the region as quickly as possible.
“So far the response from industry representatives on Project Target has been overwhelmingly positive, with many offering their full support to the programme. Together, with VEN Management and through partnership working, I am confident that regional construction businesses will have the opportunity to maximise their chances of involvement in new contract opportunities, either on their own or as a collaborative consortium, competing for new contracts in the immediate term, or by accessing the help and support available to successfully secure future contract opportunities”
