Morag Angus, Richard Lochhead MSP and Peter Reekie at the launch
The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) – the collaboration between the public sector and industry launched the Transformation Action Plan at a special ceremony in Edinburgh this week.
The Plan includes workstreams for reforming procurement, improving construction quality, moving towards net zero, fair work, increasing the uptake of digital technology and collating and using meaningful data.
Iain Kent and Colin Proctor, co-chairs of CQIC, said: “We welcome the announcement of the Transformation Action Plan and believe it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate and move the whole sector forward dynamically.”
CQIC was among those who contributed to the development of the plan, which aims to deliver the commitments set out in the Scottish Construction Accord, launched in October 2022 as a shared vision between the industry and the public sector to create a thriving and high-performing construction sector.”
Speaking at the Plan’s launch at Edinburgh Napier University on Wednesday 24 January, Richard Lochhead, Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Tourism and Trade, said: “The construction sector is vital to green, economic growth across Scotland and central to our net zero ambitions.
“This Transformation Action Plan will drive progress in important areas such as fair work and procurement, delivering the sustainable, innovative and prosperous industry Scotland needs.
“I am grateful to all the businesses and public sector organisations which developed this plan for the benefit and future of the construction sector.”
Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and co-chair of the Transformation Action Plan Board, said: “As a proud civil engineer in a role that gives me sight across the whole construction sector, I know how important the industry is to Scotland’s economy, to our country achieving net zero and what a great career it can provide.
“For the sector to deliver more , with improved outcomes for businesses, its workforce, its clients and wider society, it must change. And every part of the industry must be involved in that change, feeling the benefits from it. That is why the Transformation Action Plan is a collaborative effort, bringing passionate people from across the sector together to work for our collective good.
“There is much to be done, but we can only change with that collective effort and broad engagement in our aims, our work and what we achieve. I urge everyone involved in the construction sector across both the public and private sectors to get involved – in a working group, or by spreading the word to help create the industry we want to see.
Morag Angus, Head of Property and Construction and Chief Surveyor at Scottish Government, and co-chair of the Transformation Action Plan Board, added: “We have listened closely to voices from across the public and private sectors to ensure our Plan accurately reflects the needs of our whole industry.
“Our sector has always embraced the fact that change is essential. We know we must constantly evolve and improve how we work, and this Plan lays firm foundations for the next wave of transformation our sector needs.
“Construction is a lynchpin in Scotland’s economy and is at the forefront of our journey to net zero, which is reflected in the ambitious goals that we have set out.”
- The Plan is available to download here or from the Transformation Action Plan website.