editor's comment

Construction benefits all of us

Ask members of the public about construction and building, and chances are they won't have a good thing to say about it. That's a travesty, because it's a hard-working industry that is under-appreciated and underestimated by almost everyone who doesn't have a direct involvement in it.

Every day, the construction industry does amazing things that benefit everyone's lives. New hospitals, schools, shops, business premises, houses, offices and landmark buildings - all are built by Britain's construction sector, yet it receives little thanks for its efforts. It's a pity to undervalue an industry that has such a huge impact on the life of every man, woman and child in the UK.

But there are clearly some very good things happening in this sector - and they came to the fore last week at Contract Journal's Construction Industry Awards. In all 14 categories, there were worthy winners. All had worked hard for success, proving to the independent judging panel that their companies were businesslike and forward-thinking.

On the day when National Construction Week launched, it was fitting that CJ's event saw the first award for diversity. Attracting more people into our industry is a good thing - and it's not limited to the biggest firms. Even the smaller firms that entered were tackling the issue in a positive way.

It's also apparent that successful firms aren't resting on their laurels, with Clugston Construction, last year's winner of the Silver Helmet Award for Safety, laying claim to it once again.

An innovative, professional industry which is more diverse, safer, and treats training as a must-have rather than an extra is surely what everyone wants. Every winner of a CJ Award can say they are doing that - and trying their best to make the industry a better place for everyone: even the general public.

All winners and finalists are profiled in the supplement with this issue. A full awards round-up, including pictures, will appear in CJ's 26 October issue.