Campaigns and Research
Tuesday, 02, Dec 2008 05:05
Please visit our research page to read the full reports.
TrustMark
Launched in January 2006, TrustMark is supported by the government, consumer groups and the industry, and aims to help the public find reliable and trustworthy tradespeople to carry out domestic work.
The TrustMark website contains a database of approved companies and individual contractors in a wide range of construction sectors.
To find out more, please visit the TrustMark website.
Occupational Health Survey 2006
The results of the latest CIOB survey, covering the effects of stress on professionals in the construction industry, have now been released.
Through such surveys, the CIOB aims to draw attention to major issues within the construction industry
Almost 1,000 construction managers and other professionals took part in the CIOB research, of which 68% said they had suffered from stress, anxiety or depression. Of these, only 27% had sought medical advice, and only 6% of those who had experienced occupational stress had taken time off and were still working. Download the full report here.
Skills Shortage
In a CIOB survey carried out in October 2005, 65% of respondents felt that the workforce was not sufficiently skilled.
79% said they had experienced problems in recruitment during 2004, while 91% of respondents anticipated skills shortages beyond 2005. The most common reasons given for this were attractions of work in other sectors, policies for recruiting new entrants and negative perception of the industry.
Skills shortages are also a cause of occupational health issues, with 55% of respondents to the CIOB’s occupational health survey indicating that inadequate staffing levels were a factor in causing stress.
The Cowboy Builder: A Public Perspective (2006)
The Office of Fair Trading receives over 100,000 complaints each year regarding substandard work carried out by traders commonly known as 'cowboy builders'. This is a serious issue for both the consumer and the image of the construction industry.
The CIOB commissioned a research report to examine the incidence of homeowners who had bad experiences with their builder and to identify any trends in the types of work, methods of employment and target groups where problems were most likely to occur.
The results of the survey were surprising and encouraging for both the consumer and construction industry as a whole. From a sample of almost 1000, it was found that 91% were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with work carried out on their home. Further, most respondents followed recommended procedures for choosing and working with a builder such as avoiding cold callers, getting a quote or estimate beforehand and having a warranty or guarantee in place for the work.
Corruption in the UK Construction Industry (2006)
Corruption within the UK construction industry is an issue that is the subject of perception and rumour rather than fact. Apart from periodic instances of exposure and action, it is a subject discussed as conjecture rather than knowledge. The CIOB conducted a survey to look at the issue from the point of view of those who work within the industry in order to gain a better perspective on the problems they face.
The report showed a great deal of variation in the way that respondents perceived corruption, as well as how widespread they thought it was. Many had experienced corruption first-hand; 41% had been offered a bribe on at least one occasion. It seems from the results that there is a degree of corruption present in many areas of the UK construction industry and that more needs to be done by both the industry and the government to combat this.
The CIOB has a clear policy on corruption, ethics and transparency that recommends and supports the development and implementation of industry-wide anti-corruption mechanisms.
The Institute intends to follow up this initial research and explore the questions and issues it poses with other bodies such as the CIC, OFT, Transparency International and Ethical Edinburgh.
Inclusivity: The changing role of Women in the Construction Workforce (2006)
Almost 200,000 women work in construction which makes up just 10% of those employed within the built environment. Construction was an industrial sector highlighted by the Equal Opportunities Commission as a no-go area for women.
The CIOB commissioned a research report to raise awareness of the key issues surrounding the low percentage of women working in construction. It explores the myths surrounding women in the industry and the apparent unattractiveness of the industry to them.
The report also aims to address the bigger picture by exploring the changes within the construction sector over the years to where it stands today, in order to develop a deep understanding of the changing role and need for women in the industry. This research increases understanding in the subject of inclusivity and assesses the issues and barriers women face today.