This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Chairman of construction industry forum announced
14/01/2004
A chairman has been appointed to a new forum set up to
help drive forward improvements in Scotland's construction
industry, it was announced today.
Graeme Millar will head up the Construction Innovation
and Excellence Forum, which will report to Scottish
Enterprise and is tasked with advising Ministers and
industry on ways to improve the performance of the
sector.
It was established in response to recommendations in the
strategy paper Achieving Construction Innovation and
Excellence in Scotland, published by the Modernising
Construction Strategic Group last August. The strategy
includes plans to improve health and safety and work to
develop training in the sector.
Welcoming the appointment by Scottish Enterprise, Deputy
Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"The £7 billion Scottish construction industry is a key
feature of the economy, employing over 190,000 people.
Construction, of course, also provides much of Scotland's
essential infrastructure.
"The Forum will have a pivotal role in providing
strategic advice for the construction sector, the Scottish
Executive and the Scottish Parliament on necessary actions
to improve the industry.
"I am delighted today to announce Graeme's appointment
by Scottish Enterprise as chairman, and look forward to
engaging with the Forum as it oversees the delivery of the
Modernising Construction Strategy recommendations."
Mr Macdonald was speaking as he attended the Scottish
launch of the main Sector Skills Council for construction,
ConstructionSkills, a new UK-wide initiative to improve
skills and training in the construction sector. He
said:
"The Executive is committed to lifelong learning, and
good training is essential to the future of the
industry.
"ConstructionSkills offers an exciting opportunity for
partner organisations such as the Construction Industry
Training Board and the Construction Industry Council to
build on their strong track records by working together to
deliver modern training solutions for the sector.
"For the first time, craft and professional vocations
are represented by the one training body. This is good news
for industry, clients and government."
The establishment of a Construction Innovation and
Excellence Forum was one of the key recommendations in the
Modernising Construction Strategic Group's (MCSG) report.
Presented to Deputy Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald in
August 2003, this is the first such strategy ever produced
for the industry in Scotland. The strategy paper can be
accessed at
www.pullingtogether.co.uk.
The MCSG, which included representatives of the
industry, client, and government, was set up by the
Executive to develop a three-year strategy for the
industry.
Other key recommendations included in the report include
plans to improve health and safety, and the establishment
of a Construction Innovation and Excellence Centre.
Scottish Enterprise will facilitate implementation of
the strategy recommendations and work with the Forum to
help achieve its objectives. The Forum is expected to be
convened by the end of February.
Graeme Millar, the new chairman of the Construction
Innovation and Excellence Forum, is currently Chairman of
the Scottish Consumer Council. He was previously Chairman
of the Southern Scotland Electricity Board, the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society in Scotland, the Scottish
Pharmaceutical General Council and Edinburgh Sick
Children's NHS Trust. He lives in Edinburgh.