CIOB’s plans for the 2019 party conferences

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) will be at the Conservative and Labour party conferences this year to talk to parliamentarians, policymakers and partner organisations about the need for a focus on quality in the industry and how skills development in construction should be higher up the agenda.

The CIOB has four events planned, listed here in chronological order:

Labour Party Conference, Brighton

Breaking down barriers in the built environment: How can we ensure the UK has a diverse pool of talent to tackle the housing crisis?

·       Monday 23 September 2019, evening event

A panel discussion and networking event to explore the different routes into construction, architecture and surveying and how they can be improved. There will be a particular focus on the effectiveness of apprenticeships and how the sector can keep up with the ever-growing challenge of new technology. This event is being jointly hosted by the CIOB, RIBA, RICS and RTPI in partnership with Prospect.

Speakers:

·       Stephanie Boland, Head of Digital, Prospect (Chair)

·       Gordon Marsden, Shadow Higher Education, Further Education & Skills Minister (invited)

·       RIBA, CIOB, RTPI and RICS representatives

Note: this is the only event open for CIOB members to attend - contact the CIOB Policy team to register: [email protected] For all the other events, members will need a Party Conference ticket to attend.

Breaking the Silence: The Building Blocks on Mental Wellbeing

·       Tuesday 24 September 2019, mid-morning event

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate mental ill health is affecting workers in the construction industry more than in any other sector. This debate will highlight some of the causes of such conditions among construction workers and examine what can be done to reduce the impact of mental ill health. This event is being held in partnership with the New Statesman.

Speakers include:

·       Alex Cunningham MP, Shadow Minister for Housing

·       Gail Cartmail, Assistant General Secretary of Unite

·       Barbara Keeley MP, Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care (invited)

·       Professor Charles Egbu, CIOB President and Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Experience), University of East London

Conservative Party Conference, Manchester

The built environment pushing for the Powerhouse

·       Sunday 29 September 2019, 17:30 – 18:30

The Government’s vision for Britain requires continued investment in the Northern Powerhouse, pioneering ideas and fresh ways of doing things. This involves boosting the local economy by developing high-quality infrastructure, and connecting businesses, people and places. Priming cities, towns and villages to reach their full potential by investing in skills, innovation and connectivity is vital for the success in the North. Join the CIOB to hear more about the Government’s plans to deliver economic growth and quality infrastructure across the North of England. This event is being jointly hosted by the CIOB, RIBA, RICS and RTPI in partnership with Conservative Home.

Building Better: Improving Quality in the Built Environment

·       Monday 30 September 2019, afternoon event

A private roundtable discussion on the need to improve and maintain quality in the built environment. Robert Jenrick MP, the new Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has been invited. This event is being held in partnership with New Statesman.

The Housing Hub

The CIOB will also be present at the “Housing Hub at Conservative Conference” on Monday 30 September. The all-day conference and exhibition, being held at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, will examine the concerns in housing and hear ideas from a number of speakers on possible solutions to the crisis.