CIOB Launches Its First Degree to Train Next-Gen Construction Leaders
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has launched its first Level 6 BSc Integrated Degree Apprenticeship in Design, Construction and Management, delivered in partnership with De Montfort University. The programme blends online academic study with on‑the‑job training, allowing apprentices to earn while they learn and progress directly toward chartered membership. It targets professionals in design, BIM, and construction management roles and requires only a relevant trainee employment contract, not A‑levels. The initiative aligns with UK government goals to upskill thousands of construction workers.
Mental Health in Construction: Improvements Are Welcome, but There’s Still Work to Be Done
The construction and demolition sector is grappling with a mental‑health crisis, with CIOB research showing 90% of members under high stress and 84% experiencing high anxiety. In 2024, 355 skilled construction workers died by suicide, one of the highest industry...
Construction Has a Data-to-Decision Problem
New research by Newcastle University’s DICE Lab, based on interviews with 14 leading UK contractors, finds that despite widespread adoption of digital twins and dashboards, construction firms still make decisions at the project level rather than enterprise‑wide. The study identifies...
Barratt Redrow Targets Circularity Boost with Materials Exchange
Barratt Redrow, the UK’s largest housebuilder, has rolled out the Nexus ReGen materials‑exchange platform across its national portfolio. The system’s Project DataPoint feature will capture heavy‑construction material data, enabling consistent reuse, waste reduction, and compliance reporting. Deployment begins this month, with...
Kier Promotes Internally for National Frameworks Strategy Lead
Kier has promoted Alexandra Smith to national frameworks director, succeeding long‑time executive Deane Hudson who is retiring after a 39‑year tenure. Smith, who joined Kier two years ago as senior business development manager for the London & Thames Valley region,...
My CEnv Career: ‘Without Client Trust, You Can’t Achieve Anything’
Mania Alabadla, a chartered environmentalist at AtkinsRéalis, reflects on two decades of sustainability evolution in construction. She moved from architecture to sustainability after earning LEED accreditation and a master's in sustainable design, now embedding environmental principles across design, construction and...
When the Founder Becomes the Bottleneck: Why Construction Leaders Struggle to Grow Their Business
Construction firms that hit the $1.25‑$3.75 million turnover mark often stall because the founder remains the sole decision‑maker. Greg Wilkes explains that this “founder trap” creates bottlenecks in pricing, site issue resolution, and client management, limiting scalability. He argues that growth...
The Value of Apprenticeships for Social Mobility and Regional Growth Is Real. So What’s Holding Businesses Back?
Construction apprenticeships are a proven driver of social mobility and regional growth, yet the sector cannot meet demand. Seddon received 2,694 applications for just 20 apprentice positions, highlighting a massive talent pool. Structural issues—project‑based work, low margins, and uncertain pipelines—make...
The Construction Gender Gap Is a Leadership Problem
The construction sector in the UK still sees women at only about 15% of the workforce, yet their representation in senior leadership is far lower. The article argues the gap is not a pipeline problem but stems from how leadership...
A World-First Global Law for Building Defects
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is endorsing the International Model Building Act, the first global legislative template aimed at curbing dangerous building defects. Developed by the International Building Quality Centre and backed by experts such as Dame Judith Hackitt,...
Stop Rework in Its Tracks
Rework imposes a hidden financial burden on UK construction, costing roughly £5 bn (~$6.3 bn) annually and representing 5‑12% of contract values, sometimes rising to 30%. The majority of rework—up to 70%—originates from design‑related errors, amplified by poor communication and manual, paper‑based...
How Wage Growth Is Driving Construction Cost Inflation
Construction cost inflation is now driven primarily by rising labour expenses, with wages climbing 6.4% in 2025—double the pre‑pandemic rate. While the BCIS Materials Cost Index eased to a 2.6% annual increase, it remains 43% above pre‑COVID levels. A shortage...
Powered Access Survey: Identifying Construction’s Priorities
Construction Management’s 2026 Powered Access survey of 115 senior professionals reveals that safety remains the dominant priority when selecting and using powered access equipment. Ground conditions (65%) and inadequate training (60%) are the top‑rated hazards, driving demand for stability‑enhancing and...
Building Safety Regulator Reports Batching Scheme Progress
The Building Safety Regulator’s batching pilot, launched in September 2025, is delivering faster assessments, averaging four weeks across new‑build, remediation and refurbishment applications. In the latest 12‑week Gateway 2 update, 284 decisions were made with a 67% approval rate, covering 12,975...
Court Extends Building Safety Liability Across Contractor Groups
The Technology and Construction Court issued a landmark ruling in Crest Nicholson v Ardmore, expanding Building Liability Orders (BLOs) under the Building Safety Act. The judgment enforced a £14.9 million (≈$19 million) adjudicator’s award and, for the first time, introduced an anticipatory...
