Webinar on June 3 will help get the construction industry in Scotland back to work

Following the resounding success of its first webinar, the Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum is immediately staging a follow-up event and may continue to roll out the informative discussions as the sector begins its long-awaited return to work.

The latest online webinar will take place on Wednesday 3 June on the crucially important subjects of cashflow and contracts. It will feature three industry experts – Consultant Len Bunton, Ian Honeyman of the Scottish Building Federation and Gus Pearson of Fortis Contracts.

The webinar comes hot on the heels of the inaugural event last Wednesday (May 27) in which Rebecca Crosland, Health and Safety Advisor at the Building Engineering Services Association, and CICV Forum member, chaired a lively discussion on Health and Safety.

At a time when the industry was gearing up to restart site activity, 136 people from across the sector signed up and took part – a particularly promising start.

Crossland said: “This was a tremendous response and it clearly demonstrates that there is a hunger out there for clear, concise information which is particularly relevant to the strange times in which we find ourselves.

“I am sure this week’s webinar will be every bit as successful. Cashflow is a matter of primary importance to every company in the industry and the webinar looks as if it will be a welcome new way of imparting information widely and efficiently.”

The webinar series is the latest initiative from the Forum, which was established to deal with the effects of the compulsory shutdown in the industry, and is made up of trade associations, professional services bodies, companies and individuals.

Over the course of the COVID-19 crisis, it has been proactive in providing clarity and guidance for companies and individuals at a time when messages from Governments were conflicting, confusing and contradictory.

It provided clear guidance on how to operate when the sector was confined to emergency work and, now that a return to work has been announced (May 28), it has enhanced and expanded Scottish Government guidance in a comprehensive 42-page underpinning document.

Honeyman said: “The Forum was set up to respond to the biggest crisis any of us have ever experienced and it has responded with professionalism, dedication and a clear and firm purpose.

“The webinars are another example of innovative thinking and the collective ability to respond positively to a crisis. There is a great lesson here for the whole sector as we try to rebuild our badly-damaged economy.”

The webinar on Wednesday 3 June at 10am is open to anyone. Register here.