The ‘Local' that I pop into now and again, on my way home from wherever I might be actually doing some work, is generally used by Building Men who, when asked the following question, gave this general response - amongst other expletives!

Question: What can be done to re-introduce us all to an industry that once meant something to us and to our country?

The following are comments made by those men and women in the ‘rubber-dub' that evening:

"Stop sitting on our arses, in front of computer screens and, get out there and actually do the work" was one immediate answer - amongst many others who said "computers are killing businesses, due to removing natural initiative and individualism".

"Get rid of the frauds who know little or nothing whatsoever about building, take on people who know their job, get rid of all of the pretentious and stupid ID cards, CSCS etc and all of the other equally non-sensical gimmicks and take on an independent inspector / Clerk of Works to oversee the site" - being a Site Inspector/ Clerk of Works myself, I particularly liked that one - "Gissajob"!

"Only employ Site Management from men who have actually done the job i.e. ex tradesmen, get rid of the worthless form filling, the ‘dressing-up' and let the man in charge call the tune, along with the project architect, the site surveyor and the Clerk of Works - the way it used to be."

"Get rid of recruitment agencies, those leeches who survive off the backs of the working men and women and who know nothing whatsoever about the industry that they are ‘people peddling' in".

"Pay building workers generally - whatever it is that they do on site, a decent wage." - I had a look through some of the recent ads and in looking at the ‘labourers' required columns, I would definitely agree with that comment and would ask..who's making the money??!

Salary: £5.80 - £6.50ph

This position is being advertised on behalf of ........ who operate as a recruitment business. Duties include sweeping site, removing rubbish, unloading and transporting of materials, and aiding tradesmen where necessary. Must have First Aid Ticket. Must have CSCS card. Please have the contact details of two references available on request. This is a temporary position.

Salary: MEETS NAT MIN WAGE

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of ..............who is operating as an employment agency. Previous experience would be an advantage. We have vacancies for labourers to work in the .... area making skirting boards. This will be a very noisy and dusty environment to work in. Access to transport would be an advantage due to the location. This is a temporary ongoing position.

Salary: £6.50 PER HOUR

This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of ..............who is operating as an employment business. This Local Employment Partnership employer shares information about new starters with Jobcentre Plus for statistical purposes only. Previous experience on large building sites is essential. Duties will include keeping the site tidy, lifting and shifting materials, and all other associated tasks as required. This is a temporary position for 2 weeks.

I taped the conversation that particular evening with the boys and girls permission and whilst I agree with a lot - not necessarily all that was discussed, I do believe that we have lost our way big-time, we have allowed our industry to be taken over by ‘pretenders' simply after a fast-buck, spouting this very tiresome ‘Sector' garbage, we need to return to the old-ways and rid ourselves of the endless rubbish that has been developed in order to control us, worthless concepts designed only for profit and Identity control. I believe that Construction needs a major kick up the arse; it requires apprenticeships - starting at the bottom (including wages) and working up instead of clamouring for the graduate who has obtained a degree in Psychology and is now in charge of a construction site but, who couldn't knock a nail in!

So, I reiterate my original question... What can be done to re-introduce us all to an industry that once meant something to us and to our country?

Regards

MVM

 When i lived in London i would get a  job in less than a day! (just on reputation)

Sometimes people would call me before i even put the boat out!

My old man was king of kings on the tippers and my brother in law was the man for demolition!

If he wasn't he would break your legs untill you said he was!

I never mentioned their names and did my own thing!

I'm in Lancashire now!

I feel like a fking missionary!

Anyone in the smoke wants beyond top of the range!

Make me an offer!

the mere thought of work let alone hard work is alien to most youngsters today,especially when these blood sucking recruitment agencies(i'm sure they must be made up by bankers or politicians) rob them each pay day,in 1988 i was paying a plasterers mate £180pw,5 and a day week,20 years later the agencies are not pay this much,...lets make it worth while for the next generation,work em hard and pay em well,,get rid of the middle men, restart apprenticeships get the big builders in schools touting for young lads and lasses,and not leaving up to the evil that is the agencies,

 If you want to fix this industry mate put it back in the hands of the men that made it work!

And i don't mean the 9 OBE's and CBE's and MBE's who started the CPCS with their 10 grand budget and their £700 million blackmail.

I mean the small businesses that set up networks and  cross hired workers  so everyone reaped the benifits not just the hob nobs!

See the hob nobs tried to dip their biscuit in our tea and because they did we all pissed in it!

I hope that makes sense?

Another whisky me thinks!

Woohoo!