ACT-UK

ACT-UK, the national centre for Advanced Construction Technologies, will be the country’s first advanced construction technology and training centre.

Work begins on the centre, at Coventry University Technology Park, in early 2007 and the first students will be training from mid 2008.

The flagship facility will offer training and induction courses from primary school level through to advanced management training for experienced construction staff and professionals.

A key part of the project will be the Building Management Simulation Centre (BMSC) – only the second of its kind in the world - a large virtual reality simulation theatre which will recreate a construction site environment and use professional actors to create a real life on site scenario for training and developing construction managers.

As well as the BMSC, the ACT-UK centre will consist of a Continuing Professional Development Centre, Collaboration Centre, Construction Industry Showcase and Construction Business Centre.

ACT-UK and WMCCE will be working closely together to help the UK construction industry improve its working practices, with WMCCE using ACT-UK as one of its delivery centres.

ACT-UK is funded by regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the Learning and Skills Council Coventry and Warwickshire and companies within the construction industry. It is seeking an additional £850,000 of industry funding to enable it to lever in the AWM grant. A partnership between construction companies, industry organisations and educational bodies, WMCCE chairman George Marsh is on its board.

Advantage Offsite

Advantage Offsite is a forward thinking initiative that has been set up to develop the region's expertise in Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) for the construction industry.

The construction industry employs around 250,000 in the West Midlands and is worth around £6.7 billion per annum to the regional economy.

Advantage Offsite will focus on the fast-growing sector of Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) and assist in the development of the supply capacity in the largest midlands region.

The programme will also engage with construction clients and contractors to maximise the uptake of OSM technology in the region.

Advantage West Midlands

Advantage West Midlands is the Regional Development Agency (RDA) for the West Midlands, the region at the heart of the UK comprising:

• the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire;
• the three unitary authorities of Herefordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford & Wrekin;
• the seven metropolitan districts of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton

The West Midlands has long been associated with innovation and creativity. From the invention of products like the spark plug and the modern dictionary; to icons like Shakespeare and Elgar that have shaped history.

So it’s no surprise that the birthplace of the industrial revolution has a thriving business base today, where high technology companies sit alongside dynamic manufacturing enterprises. With buzzing cities and beautiful shires that touch the imagination, the West Midlands is truly a Region at the heart of it all.

BRE

BRE is a world leading centre of expertise for construction, the built environment, sustainability, energy, fire and many associated issues. We provide research, consultancy, information and testing services to customers worldwide.

We offer developers, architects, contractors, engineers, manufacturers and other construction professionals a unique single source of expertise and practical guidance on how to achieve and benefit from greater sustainability and innovation.

BRE helps clients develop solutions that create sustainable buildings. Buildings that meet today's needs, anticipate future demands and at the same time protect the environment and the well being of occupants and the community.

With over eighty years experience advising industry and government on environmental and construction issues, we are uniquely placed to provide the guidance and technical support that clients seek.

Chartered Institute of Building

The CIOB is the leading body for managers in construction, setting the pace globally for high standards of professionalism in the built environment. Chartered members are amongst the most highly regarded professionals working throughout the international construction industry. Our membership represents the wide diversity of roles within the construction industry and promotes the delivery of high work standards and values. Our membership includes clients, consultants and contractors as well specialists in regulation, research and education. This provides a pool of specialist knowledge which informs the way in which the industry develops.

Holders of the CIOB qualification are recognised throughout the industry as professionals competent in their field with a personal commitment to continual development. Whatever or wherever you want to be in the construction industry the CIOB can support you in getting there.

Constructing Excellence

Constructing Excellence is the single industry-wide body charged with implementing the change agenda in construction. It aims to deliver improved industry performance resulting in a demonstrably better built environment, and provides a unique bridge between industry, clients, government and the research community. It was created from a number of high profile, expert organisations that came together to improve the service that they could collectively provide to their clients and streamline the efforts and skills of all those involved. As a result, Constructing Excellence is a powerful influential voice for improvement in the built environment sector.

Constructing Excellence engages with companies on many different issues around the best practice agenda. Four of these have been identified by the Constructing Excellence membership as key sector issues, namely:

• Sustainability
• Value
• People, skills and leadership
• Integration and collaborative working

In addition to these key themes Constructing Excellence, has expertise in other areas, most notably in KPIs and benchmarking as the manager of the national KPI programme; in lean construction through its work assisting organisations implement these techniques and through technology transfer and innovation through its work in research and programme of Demonstration Projects.

ConstructionSkills

ConstructionSkills is the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, one of the Sector Skills Councils tasked by the Government to implement UK-wide agreements between the bodies responsible for delivering training in the UK and those that demand it.

ConstructionSkills provides assistance in all aspects of recruiting, training and qualifying the construction workforce. It also works with partners in industry and government to improve the competitiveness of the industry as a whole.

Institution of Civil Engineers

"When you understand civil engineering, you see the world differently."

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a charity that exists to promote and progress civil engineering.

ICI are a qualifying body, a centre for the exchange of specialist knowledge, and a provider of resources to encourage innovation and excellence in the profession, worldwide. They have produced an overview as a plain English guide to the Institution.

ICE has a rich history. Their Royal Charter tells people about their aim to "foster and promote the art and science of civil engineering" and was granted in 1828. The Institution of Civil Engineers is a registered charity (no. 210252)

The opportunity to join ICE is available to civil engineers, technicians and technical/scientific specialists at every stage of their professional career, from students and apprentices to senior board directors.

ICE's professionally qualified grades of membership are internationally recognised and highly valued. Attainment of these is widely viewed as a significant personal achievement and a benchmark of a technician's or engineer's competences and professional standing.

Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands

MAS-WM is dedicated to helping manufacturers in the West Midlands improve any aspect of their manufacturing operation, processes, production, materials, technology and product development. The customer-led service provides easy to access manufacturing expertise, whatever you make and whatever your manufacturing concern. MAS-WM can assist your company on a variety of manufacturing issues. The MAS-WM offer addresses the practical needs of manufacturers through practical advice and guidance provided by industry experienced Specialist Manufacturing Advisors and drawing upon a network of world class associate delivery partners with the skills and knowledge to tackle the most complex of issues.

To find out more call 0845 245 0845 or visit the website - www.mas-wm.org

RICS West Midlands

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – RICS – is one of the most respected and high profile global ‘standards and membership’ organisations for professionals involved in land, property, construction and environmental issues with...

• 136 years of representing property professionalism
• 120 000 members across 120 countries worldwide
• 400 degree level courses approved worldwide
• 500 research and policy papers published per year
• 50 national associations, linked groups and societies
• 160 diverse ‘specialisms’ – represented across 17 ‘faculties’

Accountable to both members and the public, RICS has three main roles:

• To maintain the highest standards of education and training.
• To protect consumers through strict regulation of professional standards.
• To be the leading source of information and independent advice on land, property, construction and associated environmental issues.

RICS members do a lot more than people realise…

The property market plays a key role in the global economy; comprising in some countries as much as 20% of the Gross National Product. With a resource this vital, businesses, governments and society need advice they can trust….and our members are the professionals they turn to.

RICS members’ services are diverse. Not only are they experts in all matters relating to real estate and construction, but they can also offer strategic advice in the economics, valuation, finance, investment and management of all the world’s physical assets. From the construction of major public buildings to surveying the sea bed, from managing large property portfolios to auctioning antiques and much, much more!

This is why at RICS they call their members ‘property professionals’.

UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in an increasingly global economy. Its range of expert services are tailored to the needs of individual businesses to maximise their international success. They provide companies with knowledge, advice and practical support.

To support its aim to "enhance the competitiveness of companies in the UK through overseas trade and investments; and attract a continuing high level of quality foreign direct investment", UK Trade & Investment offers services to:

• UK businesses that want to grow their business internationally
• Overseas businesses that want to locate in the UK

University of Wolverhampton

For over thirty years, the University of Wolverhampton has cultivated strong links with industry. The University is fully committed to the regeneration of the Black Country and the wider West Midlands and can provide education, training and support - alongside innovation, knowledge and technology transfer - to companies and public sector organisations.

The Competitiveness Centre

The Competitiveness Centre is the gateway for all of the University's services to business - from marketing, product development and virtual reality design, to languages, IT consultancy and environmental services. We offer research and consultancy, student and graduate placements, training and short courses, including seminars and other events that encourage a sharing of knowledge between academic experts and local companies. Our aim is to help improve your company’s standing in the market, increase innovation, broaden and develop the skills base of your workforce and motivate your 'team'.

And for those looking to set up a new business, we can provide high quality business accommodation at competitive rates as well as advice and support on the best way forward for your company.

University of Wolverhampton

With over 23,000 students, the University of Wolverhampton is one of the UK’s largest universities and with a recent £60 million investment, students can benefit from some of the best facilities higher education can offer. The University can offer a wide range of courses at all levels in over 250 subjects, (including professional qualifications) – many of which are delivered flexibly to meet the needs of today’s employers and employees.

If you think we can help your business, please contact: the Competitiveness Centre on Tel: 0800 068 5023 or E-mail: competitiveness-centre@wlv.ac.uk