DBF puts faith in youth for reform

by Tim Wood



The Design Build Foundation's (DBF) mission to "reform the construction industry and enhance its drive towards delivering effective collaborative working" moved a step closer last week with the formation of a Young Graduate Board.

The board is the result of a number of recent graduate workshops where young people from the 80 DBF member companies discussed industry issues and proposed reforms.

Nine individuals from a cross section of industry players, including solicitor Hammond Suddards Edge, Carillion, Bovis Lend Lease, EPR Architects, Gleeds and NG Bailey are represented.

DBF chairman Tony Giddings said: "Our industry urgently needs fresh ideas if we are to rethink it and not continue simply to pay lip service to reform.

"We firmly believe that by giving these nine young people a free hand to debate and develop industry topics we will not just improve things, but invigorate and innovate our industry."

First on the board's agenda is addressing the urgent need to reform the education system that supplies the construction industry with key decision-makers.

The board members, all of whom have enjoyed varied professional training, intend to challenge the education system and the construction industry to accept positive steps for change.

The DBF's own Education Working Group has also consistently found that construction graduates demand better training, higher standards and a broader understanding of the industry.

"We need to make our business more attractive, more rewarding and therefore a career of choice, not one made simple and easy by lower standards," said Giddings.

"We must get through to career advisory officers, headmasters and teachers to educate them that our industry offers a wealth of opportunity for exciting and rewarding careers.

"The graduates we speak to are seeking a different, more challenging education system that prepares them for work in the real world.

"That's where the challenge for the Construction Industry Council, Construction Industry Training Board and other representative bodies lies - not in making things easier [as far as entry qualifications to university and college courses] are concerned."