I recently opened up to a capacity filled cpd event at our flagship venue which is provided to us courtesy of Southwark Building Control in central London.
Whilst addressing our audience I directed everyone to “look around, check your horizons for the buildings that surround you, especially when you leave here tonight. If you see anything significant, anything landmark, that reaches up towards the sky, where people live, work or play within, then it is likely that a Building Engineer from our association was involved during it’s early conception and final build”
That was not a boastful claim but a sign to all those gathered just how significant our small association has become in helping to steer, and to
contribute to the many successful outcomes within our built environment. Where I am for one proud to say that I am a Building Engineer, and am proud to say that I am amongst others just like me.
These past few years have seen us face various challenges. These ranged from simply trying to motivate our members to continue with their cpd based training, to offering somewhere for our members to meet so that they can discuss, and air the problems they faced, such as the lack of job security as well as the diminishing rates of pay, so they would have me believe. Everyone seems to have a story to tell.
When the current committee formed in around 2008 we faced a dilema which I’m sure the other ABE regions also had. This being the lowering delegate attendances to some of our cpd events even though many were actually free. Three years later most of our cpd events enjoy capacity attendances. We feel that the right balance of values have been introduced which make everyone feel welcome, comfortable and interested to partake.
As members we should be proud of our involvements in a number of landmark developments. Our cpd events which always incorporates a lively discussion and open forum, helps to spread our involvement and to promote the fact that our members are there where it counts.
I listened to a common theme from many of our attending members, many of whom were students and graduate members. Stories of disillusionment as long term work opportunities were becoming fewer and far between. Some were so disillusioned with how their circumstance had changed for the worse that they were contemplating leaving the construction industry altogether, and to pursue a complete career change.
Three years later many of those I had spoken to have managed to find jobs and are indeed still in the construction industry, although many have had either their original job contracts varied, or now exist in companies or organisations which offer different employment contracts dependent upon their original starting dates .
I have always strongly encouraged our members to pursue more ambitious personal development plans within the areas of building engineering. When I was able to meet Surveyors, Engineers and Architects who were members of the ABE, it was always interesting to listen to what they felt they required from our cpd events, and then to discuss ways in which we could best deliver what the membership wanted from us.
We now try to provide a diverse range of subject matter. Sometimes this has allowed the committee to liaise with manufacturers, contractors and designers so that the best cpd content could be sourced and agreed, and whenever possible to stamp our own style of delivery on that material. This has allowed us to develop our ideas with venue facilitators, as well as with media production companies in order that the content could be delivered using the very latest information technologies, in surroundings which were comfortable for our diverse membership, as well as our guests.
Coming up to the threshold of 2012 the eyes of the world will be upon us. I was always pleased to meet many ABE members who are still
contributing substantial technical expertise to developments forming part of the current Olympic Park in east London, as well as the locally regenerated areas especially around Stratford.
In 2012 the world’s eyes will be upon us, in 2012 our southern region will showcase the many testimonies of our member’s involvement, in what the world will see in their living rooms all over the world. I for one would like to hear and to share some of those successes at our future events.
Cliff L’Aimable
Southern Regional
Chairman
October 2011
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