National Construction Week 2002 — Making it Count!
ICES Executive Director, Kevin Blackwell FInstCES, with an important message to members —

Only a couple of months ago, the Institution held a conference at Worcestershire County Hall to address the pressing issue of the current skills shortage in the construction industry.

Whilst this still remains a key topic of discussion for the construction industry, government and academia, the promotion of careers in the construction industry is the responsibility of us all. We should therefore take positive steps to encourage younger people to pursue a career in our industry and indeed, to retain and develop our current skill base.

National Construction Week (NCW) 2002 is fast approaching, running from the 3rd October to 10th October 2002. This is a UK campaign managed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), to promote careers in construction. Thousands of people will be taking part in events nationwide during this week to highlight the exciting career opportunities available in the construction industry.

On behalf of the Institution, I would appeal in particular to all of our members to get involved in NCW 2002 either through attendance, sponsorship or organisation of an event or activity during this week.

For example, your organisation may wish to become involved in this national campaign by holding an office open day, organising a seminar or workshop, making representation at an industry exhibition, sponsoring an NCW 2002 event or academic prize, organising a site visit, co-ordinating industry research, organising a competition for school children or offering work experience placements.

The Institution has already registered two events in support of National Construction Week 2002, those being:

Meet the Construction Professionals
Thursday 3rd October 2002, Nottingham Trent University
Organised by the Institution's G&SC Eastern Region, in association with the Nottingham Trent University's School of Property and Construction and sponsored by McCane Construction. This event will provide students and graduates the opportunity to meet senior representatives from the construction industries major professional institutions.

Adjudication Enforcement - The Final Hurdle?
Wednesday 9th October 2002, Loughborough University
The Institution's Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Panel will stage a mock hearing, addressing the very latest law issues relating to adjudication enforcement, at Loughborough University on Wednesday 9th October 2002. This mock hearing, which is being hosted by the Institution in association with the Joint Commercial Management Board of the ICE and ICES, will be presented by five of the UK's leading construction law professionals.

Further information for both events will be available on this ICES website or from Head Office on request.

Details of how to become involved in NCW 2002 are available on their website at www.ncw.org.uk. Any members wishing to publicise their NCW 2002 event on the Institution's website can e-mail their event details to us by email

So if you haven't already done so, start organising your NCW 2002 event and lets work together to promote careers in construction and make NCW count!

Kevin Blackwell FInstCES
Executive Director
For and on behalf of The Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors