Month: September 2024

Today, the Supply Chain Sustainability School has released the findings of the ninth annual Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Culture Impact Report, showcasing significant growth and a positive impact of the FIR Programme within the built environment sector.

The FIR Programme, delivered by the School and part-funded by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), offers comprehensive training, resources, and a network of FIR Ambassadors to help organisations embed fairness, inclusion, and respect in their workplace practices. Through workshops, webinars, e-learning modules, and a resource library, the programme equips individuals and businesses with essential knowledge and tools to enhance inclusivity and cultivate a positive working culture.

This year’s FIR Culture Impact Survey revealed an impressive milestone, with 1,689 respondents – a 32.7% increase in participation compared to the previous year. This rise underscores the growing importance of the FIR mission within the industry and reflects heightened awareness of inclusivity efforts.

Key findings from the 2024 FIR Culture Impact Survey indicate that 56% of respondents have engaged with the FIR Programme, with 39% joining within the last 12 months. This surge in engagement highlights the programme’s increasing relevance, particularly for newer entrants to the workforce discovering the benefits of FIR for the first time.

The demographic composition of survey respondents continues to challenge traditional industry norms, signalling meaningful progress towards greater inclusivity. Notably, 48% of respondents identified as women, 9% disclosed a disability, and 15% represented non-white backgrounds, exceeding standard diversity benchmarks within the sector.

The Role of FIR Ambassadors

The survey further underscored the invaluable contribution of FIR Ambassadors, with 519 Ambassadors (31% of respondents) sharing insights about their experiences.

Findings indicate that the Ambassador role correlates with higher engagement and job satisfaction:

• 75% of FIR Ambassadors would recommend their workplace as a great place to work, compared to 65% of non-Ambassadors.
• 84% of FIR Ambassadors feel respected by their manager or supervisor, in contrast to 73% of non-Ambassadors.
• 85% of FIR Ambassadors feel part of a team at work, while only 74% of non-Ambassadors share the same sentiment.

Quality and Impact of FIR Training

Respondents praised the quality of FIR Training, with 90% providing positive feedback on workshops, webinars, and the FIR resource library. Furthermore, 92% of workshop attendees and 93% of webinar attendees reported an enhanced understanding of FIR principles. The FIR e-learning modules also demonstrated significant impact, with 93% reporting increased knowledge and 88% indicating that they applied knowledge from FIR resources in practical settings.

Positive Impact on Individuals and Businesses

The FIR Programme continues to have a strong impact on individuals, with an increasing number of respondents reporting positive experiences:

• 92% agree that the FIR Programme helped them understand the business case for embedding FIR within their organisation.
• 82% feel empowered to address FIR issues more effectively.
• 78% feel confident in challenging poor behaviours.

At the business level, many organisations reported tangible improvements in key areas:

• 63% noted positive changes in recruitment practices, resulting in more diverse teams.
• 70% observed improved workforce behaviours, with 61% seeing enhanced collaboration within their teams.
• 47% experienced increased productivity, and 43% reported that FIR helped them secure new business—demonstrating how organisations with inclusive practices achieve better performance and successful outcomes.

Anonymous feedback from participants further highlights the FIR Programme’s influence. One participant shared, “The FIR Programme has given me a deeper understanding and knowledge base of issues that can affect my colleagues and the workforce that we supply to our clients.”

For the full report, log in and access here.

Explore the FIR Programme here.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale.

The report’s development was led by the CLC Housing Working Group’s Smart Construction Sub-Group, which includes representatives from:

• Housing providers
• Architects
• Local authorities
• MMC suppliers and manufacturers
• Trade and professional bodies
• Homes England
• The Greater London Authority (GLA)
• The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

The report proposes a series of long-term policy goals for the Labour Government to consider, including the creation of a dedicated MMC Taskforce. This taskforce, once convened, would be responsible for developing a comprehensive MMC strategy within six months. The strategy would focus on:

• Improving productivity in housing construction
• Enhancing speed of delivery and reducing outturn costs
• Lowering embodied carbon in construction materials and processes
• Maximising societal benefits through local employment and skills development

Addressing the Housing and Skills Crisis

The report identifies MMC as a key solution to the UK’s housing shortage, proposing that the adoption of MMC could counter the current 225,000-person skills gap in construction. With the ability to rapidly scale up housing delivery to meet demand for 300,000 – 500,000 homes annually, MMC offers a pathway to reversing decades of stagnation in the sector, which has seen construction productivity lag behind most other UK industries.

Global Lessons and High-Level Targets

Drawing on international case studies from countries including Australia, China and Japan, the report emphasises the need for high-level, published MMC targets that link both quantity and quality outcomes. It calls on the UK Government to implement clear, achievable goals that provide the construction industry with the certainty it needs to invest in MMC innovation and growth.

The report also supports the National Housing Federation’s call for new towns and settlements to include a mix of housing tenures, with MMC prioritised for its ability to rapidly deliver high-quality, sustainable homes.

A Clear Call to Action

The CLC is urging the Government to adopt their recommendations, particularly the creation of the MMC Taskforce, as a matter of urgency. By doing so, the UK can tackle its housing shortage, address the construction skills crisis, and deliver environmentally sustainable housing at scale.

Rory Bergin, Partner at Sustainable Futures said: “To meet the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, we need to double housing output and remove barriers that limit productivity. MMC is a key part of this strategy, and the sector has invested heavily in it. Now is the time to build on that progress, modernise housing delivery, and release the benefits of increased productivity, sustainability, and quality.”

Access the full report here.