| By :
Martin Hofschroer
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has called on the new Conservative and Liberal Democrat coaltion government to invest in the construction industry. Chris Blythe, chief executive of the CIOB, has said that there needs to be a sustained programme of national investment in the construction industry if Britain is to return to a pattern of consistent economic growth. Mr Blythe claimed that for every pound spent on construction output, £2.84 is generated in total economic activity and 92 pence of every pound spent on construction is retained in the UK. "The physical infrastructure of this country underpins the entire economic and social infrastructure. Investment in the built environment can spread the benefits of an economic stimulus to all parts of the UK," he added. Chris Blythe went on to say that it is crucial that the coalition government encourages people to enrol in electrical courses, plumbing courses and commercial gas courses as this will assist economic recovery. "The last recession taught us that if we neglect training and educating our workforces we will suffer in the long-term; and hinder our ability to react to any upturn in the economy," he said. As environmental technologies increase in popularity more people may be required to take green energy courses in order to understand how to install of energy efficient forms of heating and lighting, according to Chris Blythe. "There is also a huge opportunity to develop the low carbon skills that the industry needs to meet the green agenda," he added. The CIOB teamed up with the Construction Industry Council to release a manifesto for the built environment which highlights the importance of the construction industry to the economy. The 'Building the Future Economy' document also looks at the construction industry's role in developing a low carbon economy, whether through the refurbishment of the existing building stock or the development of new buildings and infrastructure. Goals of the manifesto included the promotion of future job creation and skills development in the workforce by sustaining training and apprenticeships during the economic downturn. The organisations would also like the government to appoint a full-time Minister of Construction and promote access to construction jobs to all sections of society in order to achieve a diverse vibrant industry. The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting has also said that more women should be encouraged to take electrical courses as it would benefit the sector and the construction industry as a whole.
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