Scottish Futures Trust backs Construction Leadership Forum as it unveils new plan to transform the sector

Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) has welcomed a dynamic new Transformation Action Plan for the Scottish construction sector that has been unveiled by the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF).

The collaboration between government and industry launched the Plan at a special ceremony in Edinburgh last week – and SFT says it offers “a unique opportunity” to move the sector forward.

The Plan includes visions for reforming procurement, improving quality, moving towards net zero and fair work, increasing the uptake of digital technology and collating and using meaningful data. It also outlines proposals to engage with and communicate more effectively with the sector.

Peter Reekie, chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, said: “We welcome the announcement of the CLF’s Transformation Action Plan and believe it offers a unique opportunity to collaborate and move the whole sector forward dynamically.”

SFT was among those who contributed to the development of The Plan, which aims to deliver the commitments at the heart of the CLF’s 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.

The Plan was launched after the CLF invited voices from across the industry and public sector to have their say on a draft version via a sector-wide consultation in November, with feedback helping to inform the first iteration, which outlines the areas where transformation is needed most.

It will now become a dynamic and live programme made up of 11 key initiatives, each led by a working group: Procurement, Pipeline, Skills, Fair Work, Quality, Digital, Modern Methods of Construction, Net Zero, Supply Chain, Data and Insights and Communications.

Each working group is co-chaired by a representative from both the public and private sectors, with the overarching programme managed by the Transformation Action Plan Board.

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 that developed this plan for the benefit and future of the construction sector.”

As co-chair of the Transformation Action Plan Board, Peter Reekie added 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.”