The Commission launched the Construction Leadership Diversity Forum following the Race and the Construction Industry Inquiry.
It is one of a number of measures developed to help tackle racism and the under-representation of groups including ethnic minorities, women and disabled people.
The senior level industry forum was launched in summer 2010 and aims to provide a clear direction on equality and diversity issues within the construction industry. It focuses on leadership and governance, procurement, employment and skills, as well as co-ordinating work and monitoring progress.
Objectives
- Launch CLDF with broad representation to provide some strategic leadership on equality and diversity, co-ordinate initiatives and promote good practice.
- Develop an evidence base to support increasing diversity: commission research to evidence good practice demonstrating how efficiency savings can be made while achieving diversity.
- Identify good practice and share widely throughout the Industry to raise the standard of equality and diversity (E&D) practice.
Achievements
- Action Plan priorities agreed in November 2009 following two industry roundtables.
- Action Plan produced and launched in February 2010.
- Construction Leadership Diversity Forum (CLDF) launched in June 2010. The aim of the CLDF is to provide strategic leadership for equality and diversity initiatives across the sector. The CLDF meets twice a year and has agreed Terms of Reference.
- Commissioned E&D research October 2010. Research produced June 2011.
- National Construction Procurement Standard PAS91 launched by BIS November 2010 with support from the Commission. Key recommendation: to simplify the procurement process achieved.
- Industry agreed to work towards embedding E&D practice. Evidenced by the Action Plan and Terms of Reference (TORs). The Action Plan and TOR drawn up in consultation with the Industry.
- KPIs to measure E&D developed by CLDF sub-group. Due to be implemented by BIS as part of the Respect For People Agenda.
- The CLDF has successfully achieved cross-sector representation to focus on E&D and all members are equal. The CLDF has joined up conversations across the supply chain and has given E&D support to its members and shared and promoted good practice. Members have said they have 'grown in confidence on this agenda'. The group has now been taken over by ConstructionSkills who will lead the work from January 2012.