Well, it has been over a year in the making but finally the Scottish Construction Accord was launched in October. Here I will explain what this is all about and whether the Accord is relevant for our members.
What is the Scottish Construction Accord?
It is a 14-page document that sets out a commitment between the construction industry and the public sector to create a thriving and high-performing construction sector in Scotland.
Ok, that’s all very well but is the Accord relevant for my business?
If you deliver works for any public sector clients either as sub-contractor or as a main contractor then yes. If you only deliver works for domestic clients then, no.
Who has produced it?
It is mainly the product of the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) which is a collaboration between the Scottish Government and the construction sector. The Accord is backed by Scotland’s Business Minister Ivan McKee MSP who says it “..heralds a new shared commitment from industry and the public sector to work together to transform the construction sector, for the good of the industry, the economy and the country.”
What is the Accord trying to achieve?
In short, quite a lot. There are 10 priority work areas and here are five of its top aspirations:
- More thriving businesses.
- Improve working conditions for employees.
- Improved construction quality.
- Reform procurement practices.
- Increase the use of digital technology
Will it make a difference for members working for public sector clients?
A key question, as without buy in, action and commitments by clients, the Accord risks being a collection of laudable ambitions. Some FMB members delivering construction services for local authorities and housing associations have already expressed wariness about it.
Is the FMB going to get involved in moving the Accord forward?
Earlier this year some members on our Scotland Board discussed aspects of it. Scottish Government Minister Ivan McKee MSP is keen to have the FMB involved in one or two of the Accord’s working groups. All this is to be discussed at our FMB Scotland Board meeting in December.
How can I get involved in providing feedback on the Accord?
Please contact me in the first instance. In reality getting individual members involved is challenging because looking after your own business comes first. It is a difficult time with skills shortages, payment issues, material shortages and high inflation, so I have a degree of realism about our members’ ability to share their views on the Accord and getting involved in the working groups.
Authors
Gordon Nelson
Director, Federation of Master Builders Scotland
