CIC Construction Knowledge Bank - Recently Updated Pages

Forum for Research, Innovation and Knowledge

huw — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:24:03 CDT

The CIC Forum for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (FRIK), chaired by Richard Saxon CBE was set up in January 2005 to take over the knowledge networking activities of the CIC Innovation and Research Committee. The role of FRIK is to encourage and facilitate collaboration between members on research, innovation and knowledge development, with a particular emphasis on inter-disciplinary issues, and to contribute input to the strategic deliberations of the National Technology Platform (NTP) and other relevant bodies and initiatives.

FRIK, whilst working closely with the NTP holds two to three Forum meetings per year, they are arranged as half day events with presentations and discussions focusing on key issues, usually of an inter-disciplinary nature, it also hosts workshops and events to consider research, innovation and knowledge development issues in particular sectors and runs task groups to review and report on specific issues/topics.

FRIK is supported by the FRIK Executive Group, also chaired by the Chairman of the Forum, with the aim of directing the business of the Forum, plan Forum meetings in advance, deal with the output of these meetings and act as a strategic influence on funding bodies. The Group involves representatives from the four research key areas; higher education, academia, professional institutions and professional service providers, and work in collaboration with the CIC Research and Chartered Colleges
For more information on FRIK, contact: rbiggs@cic.org.uk

Copyright

huw — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:15:18 CDT

The Construction knowledge bank uses the Creative Commons copyright license

For more information, see Terms of Use FAQ.

FRIK

huw — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:40:03 CDT

Forum for Research Innovation and Knowledge (FRIK)

The CIC Forum for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (FRIK), chaired by Richard Saxon CBE was set up in January 2005 to take over the knowledge networking activities of the CIC Innovation and Research Committee. The role of FRIK is to encourage and facilitate collaboration between members on research, innovation and knowledge development, with a particular emphasis on inter-disciplinary issues, and to contribute input to the strategic deliberations of the National Platform for the Built Environment and other relevant bodies and initiatives.

FRIK, works closely with the National Platform for the Built Environment holds two to three Forum meetings per year, they are arranged as half day events with presentations and discussions focusing on key issues, usually of an inter-disciplinary nature, it also hosts workshops and events to consider research, innovation and knowledge development issues in particular sectors and runs task groups to review and report on specific issues/topics.

FRIK is supported by the FRIK Executive Group, also chaired by the Chairman of the Forum, with the aim of directing the business of the Forum, plan Forum meetings in advance, deal with the output of these meetings and act as a strategic influence on funding bodies. The Group involves representatives from the four research key areas; higher education, academia, professional institutions and professional service providers, and work in collaboration with the CIC Research and Chartered Colleges

For more information on FRIK, contact Richard Biggs at rbiggs@cic.org.uk

National Platform for the Built Environment

huw — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:32:10 CDT

Formerly the New Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel (nCRISP)

Find out more by visiting their new website

Sustainability/Combating climate change

huw — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 07:38:01 CDT

CIC recognises that the protection of the environment and the pursuit of sustainable development are amongst the greatest challenges facing humanity. CIC and its members have an individual and collective responsibility to advise clients on strategies that are consistent with their immediate needs, and with the longer term benefits of a sustainable approach. CIC recognises the importance of continuous improvement through the judicious management of our own businesses, and the associated impacts of our activities.
CIC's approach and policy towards sustainability in construction and the built environment is translated through the work of its Sustainable Development Committee.
Mission: To add value for all stakeholders in the built environment
through the provision of information, advice and encouragement on Sustainable Development
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) recognises that the protection of the environment and the pursuit of sustainable development are amongst the greatest challenges facing humanity. CIC and its members have an individual and collective responsibility to advise clients on strategies that are consistent with their immediate needs, and with the longer-term benefits of a sustainable approach. We recognise the importance of continuous improvement through the judicious management of our own businesses, and the associated impacts of our activities.

Knowledge Management Task Group

richbig — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:24:41 CDT

The remit of the Task Group is to draw up a plan which will enable CIC members to address some of the issues facing society that require a multi-disciplinary approach for their effective resolution and examine how CIC’s role could be extended to provide a service to its member institutions to achieve this. The aims of the plan would enable the participating institutions to:

Identify key issues facing society and our industry, where a significant contribution could be made by a multi-disciplinary approach;
Bring together individuals from within the breadth and depth of the institutions’ memberships, with relevant expertise in different disciplines in a collaborative framework;
Develop new solutions and/or guidance, over and above that which can be obtained by uni-disciplinary approaches;
Promote the outcomes, enabling actions to be taken by relevant bodies, using soundly sourced data and carefully considered conclusions;
Use the material generated to enhance the body of knowledge held by each institution for the benefit of its members and of society at large.

The Construction Knowledge Bank is one strand of the Group’s action to meet its remit and is a pilot scheme. Its effectiveness will be monitored by the Group.
The Group is chaired by CIC Chairman, Nick Raynsford MP and its members include representatives of the following CIC Members: Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE),
Institute of Highway and Incorporated Engineers (IHIE)
Institute of Highway Transportation (IHT)
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE),
Landscape Institute (LI),
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA),
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS),
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

Education

dcracknell — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:55:39 CDT

Construction Industry Education
Different occupations require different qualifications. Options may vary depending on age and whether individuals want to stay in full time education or start earning while learning. Here is a summary of the three main routes.

Craft
Most new entrants train and gain qualifications as they work, through an apprenticeship, although there are other kinds of training schemes. To enter the industry in a craft occupation, a good basic education is needed. Craft trainees develop skills using their hands and specialist equipment whilst learning about construction materials and production methods. They will also have the chance to undertake qualifications that can take them into technical, management or professional occupations.

Technical
To train in a technical occupation four good GCSE passes (or in Scotland, 4 good Standard grades), A levels, or an equivalent vocational qualification, are needed. There are two main options: either individuals can work and go to college part-time, possibly through an apprenticeship, or they can get full-time college qualifications before joining the industry. They will have the opportunity to complete further vocational and professional qualifications and move to supervisory, management or professional roles.

Management and Professional
People with a foundation degree or degree, in a subject such as architecture, civil engineering, building, construction management, surveying, town planning etc., can expect a high level of responsibility when they enter the industry and develop relevant skills. Graduates will be trained for highly specialised professional or management positions and will have the opportunity to gain professional qualifications such as chartered status through Initial Professional Development programmes.

ConstructionSkills ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for the industry, works with other related SSCs operating in the Built Environment eg. AssetSkills (property areas) and SummitSkills (building services engineering), to address the skills issues which the industry faces. This involves working with all interested stakeholders – both on the demand side, such as employers, clients, representative federations; and on the supply side, such as Further and Higher Education providers, trainers and Awarding Bodies. The three strategic objectives for ConstructionSkills, based on the main skills challenges are:

Improving business performance;
Improving image and recruitment; and
Qualifying the workforce and continuous development.

To achieve these aims, ConstructionSkills has developed a ‘compact’ (Sector Skills Agreement) with by carrying out a detailed analysis of the future skills and productivity needs for employers within their sector and working with suppliers of education and training to enable them to be delivered. Sector Skills Agreements put in place a framework which allows employers across the UK to sign up to a key set of priorities with organisations that fund and supply education and training. Additionally, ConstructionSkills, in conjunction with sector stakeholders is developing a Construction Qualifications Strategy to help shape the future direction of education, training and qualifications within the sector. Education, training and qualification aspects of the industry include:

School –based programmes eg. sector specific GCSE’s, Specialised Diplomas
College-based programmes eg. sector specific craft qualifications and National and Higher National Certificates
University-based programmes eg. Foundation Degrees, Degrees, Masters
Training programmes – delivered by individual providers for target audiences in the industry
Apprenticeships – linking learning with work-based development
National and Scottish Vocational Qualifications attesting to workplace competence
Professional qualifications at various grades attesting to professional competence and conduct
Continuing Professional Development – formal and informal development attesting to the current knowledge and competence of individuals
ConstructionSkills Certification Scheme – attesting to the recognised levels of competence and to provide a means of identification and to raise standards of health and safety in the industry.
National Skills Academy – concerned with the establishment of project-based training centres on major construction projects.
National Occupational Standards – these represent a benchmark of industry-specified best practice of performance and underpinning knowledge and understanding and provide a powerful multi-purpose tool for the sector. They are designed to improve the performance of Industry, by enhancing the performance of people in the workplace and by helping to inform training and vocational education about contemporary industry needs.

For further help, visit, www.bconstructive.co.uk the careers site for young people, www.constructionskills.net the site for the Sector Skills Council for the industry, or www.cic.org.uk/activities/lifell.shtml the part of the Construction Industry Council’s site devoted to Lifelong Learning.

The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP)

richbig — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:50:32 CDT

The UK Climate Impacts Programme (UKCIP) helps organisations assess how they might be affected by
climate change, so they can prepare for its impact. Set up in April 1997, UKCIP is funded by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and based at the University of Oxford. We work with our stakeholders and co-ordinate research on how climate change will have an impact at regional and national levels. This means that our stakeholders or partners commission the research and determine the research agenda, ensuring that it meets their needs. UKCIP provides support and guidance throughout the process for both stakeholders and researchers, and provides a bridge between researchers and decision-makers in government organisations and business.
UKCIP has been the catalyst for a range of regional and sectoral studies into the impacts of climate change. UKCIP is part of a wider programme of research into climate change being undertaken by Defra.

The origins of the CIC

AnnaGagliano — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:07:18 CDT

The CIC was originally formed as the Building Industry Council, an idea that was originally conceived in late 1987. This grew out of the demise of the Group of Eight, an organisation that had lobbied on behalf of the construction industry since the 1960s.

The Group of Eight comprised three professional institutions - the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) ; the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE); three trade associations - the Building Employers Confederation (BEC); the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (FCEC); and the National Council for Building Materials Producers (BMP); and two trades unions. The Group of Eight was hosted and run by the RIBA until the last year of its life when the hosting was taken over by the ICE. It only came together as a group to meet Government but its weakness was that the only agreed lobbying issue was the need for more public expenditure on building works and this was not the appropriate message to be delivering to Government in the 1980s. It was therefore undermined by the fact that Government increasingly ignored it and also by the fact that many other leading organisations in the UK construction industry were not directly involved in it.

The original intention of the Building Industry Council (BIC) was to provide a more inclusive umbrella organisation for industry bodies.

The first meeting of the BIC was in November 1988 and Professor Edmund (Ted) Happold was appointed as its founding Chairman. The five founder members of the BIC were:

Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Landscape Institute (LI) joined in March 1989 and the Royal Town Planning Institute, one month later. To recognise this wider membership the Council agreed to change its name to the Construction Industry Council in November 1989, by which time membership had grown to 14 organisations.

The first Secretary of the BIC was Andrew Ramsay, then Chief Executive of CIBSE, and in January 1989 Alan Sexton was appointed as the first Executive Secretary on a part-time basis. Graham Watts was appointed as the first full-time Chief Executive in October 1991.

RIBA

AnnaGagliano — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 08:59:48 CDT

The Royal Institute of British Architects, one of the most influential architectural institutions in the world, has been promoting architecture and architects since being awarded its Royal Charter in 1837. Then the RIBA's remit was 'the general advancement of architecture'. Today's mission statement continues to embody these sentiments.

The RIBA is a member organisation, with 30,000 members, headed by president Jack Pringle, and with an executive of 170 staff at the HQ in central London and in a dozen regional offices.

Our HQ is in a fine Grade II-listed 1930s building, designed by Grey Wornum, at the junction of Portland Place and Weymouth Street in London W1.

The building houses an extensive architecture bookshop, a café with outdoor terrace, galleries hosting exhibitions, lecture theatres for talks, and is home to one of the finest architectural libraries in the world.

The British Architectural Library is housed in the building, and is open to members, and to non-members buying day tickets. Visitors of all ages are welcome.

RIBA
66 Portland Place
London
W1B 1AD

Tel: +44 207 580 5533.
Fax: +44 207 251 1541.
Email: info@inst.riba.org

www.architecture.com

CIC

Graham_Watts — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:50:04 CDT

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is the representative forum for the professional bodies, research organisations and specialist business associations in the construction industry.

It provides a single voice for professionals in all sectors of the built environment through its collective membership of 500,000 individual professionals and 25,000 firms of construction consultants.

In addition, CIC represents the views of the higher level of the industry (professional, managerial and technical) in ConstructionSkills – the Sector Skills Council for construction. ConstructionSkills is a partnership between CIC, CITB-ConstructionSkills and CITB Northern Ireland.

Chairman of the Construction Industry Council and their terms of office:

Sir Edmund (Ted) Happold: 1988-1991
Sir Ian Dixon CBE: 1991-1994
Robin Wilson CBE: 1994-1996
Christopher Vickers CBE: 1996-1998
Robin Nicholson CBE: 1998-2000
Michael Dickson CBE: 2000-2002
Turlogh O’Brien CBE: 2002-2004
Stuart Henderson: 2004-2006
The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP: 2006-present

CIC Website

Funding construction research

richbig — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:57:06 CST

Research Funding - making an application

How to get a wiki going? It occurs to me that to write about something that the majority of the users will know much more about than me might be a very good way. Indeed I may even build-in some deliberate mistakes!:-

The research funding application process

It goes without saying that the quality of the application you submit will determine whether or not you are successful. And therein lies the problem: too often it goes unsaid and apparently unappreciated.

Allow enough time.

Preparing a draft proposal and consulting on it, preparing the project costings and getting advice on these, as well as reading the regulations of the grants scheme to learn what is and what is not permissible, are all time-consuming parts of the process of application.

Study your target funder

All funding agencies will have their own criteria for deciding on allocation of their resources. It is worth while taking time to familiarise yourself with these and ensuring that your application clearly addresses your targeted source of support. Four characteristics of all successful applications:
They must:

promise excellent research
be of value to potential users outside or within the research community
convince of the ability to deliver research
demonstrate value for money (not necessarily the same as cheapness).

Look at alternative sources

Most applicants will usually target tried and tested sources of funding, which are already oversubscribed. What many do not know is that a large number of private companies have money set aside for funding research that they feel may be beneficial to them. In these cases, it is best to approach these sources directly, stating clearly what benefits your reserach can bring to the company.

Rules

Read the rules and any guidance notes attached to the application form which are designed to help you through the 'filling in' process.. Make sure you are using the current versions of any documents.

Talk

Discuss you application with peer groups, colleagues and, with people that have done it before – er …. and been successful! Contact anyone you intend to nominate as referee and make sure they know and understand what you are doing.

Costings

Justify your costings and probably for more than any other aspect of the application follow the rules to the letter. Be realistic in both directions (not too little result for too much money or too much work for too little money). Think really carefully about the time and resources needed to complete the research successfully within the specified period. Awards will be based on the eligible costings included in applications so it is important to get costings right when applying. A well thought out financial plan helps to create confidence in the proposal generally. Give as detailed a breakdown of costs as possible and make sure that what you are asking for is allowed within the rule.

Content and Presentation

The research proposal is your way to convince the funder that your application is worth funding so think carefully about what information you are going to give and how it is presented. Make sure you think your plan through and cover all stages. Write in plain English. Your proposal is likely to be seen by many people, some of whom may not be well versed in your specialisation. Detail and specification may necessitate the use of disciplinary or technical terminology and this will be clear to peer reviewers, but the ideas you wish to convey and your reasons for doing so should be apparent to a wide audience. Also check spelling, grammar and punctuation. These are all part of the quality of presentation and presentation matters!

Clearly state the issue in its context and how your work will contribute alongside existing knowledge/research
Establish appropriate aims and objectives
Give a full and detailed description of the proposed research methods
Give very careful consideration to data collection. Consider existing data resources. Establish/contact any relevant data service. Be sure that access will be given where necessary.
Demonstrate a clear and systematic approach to the analysis of data
Consider ethical/legal issues of what you plan to do.
Provide a balanced bibliography with aselection of referees to indicate familiarity with the theoretical grounding and current state of the art
Identify potential users of the research outside of the academic community and maybe even consult with them
Consider the possibility of co-funding of the research where this is within the rules
Provide a clear dissemination strategy for the research demonstrating how outcomes will be communicated to all interested parties including potential users of the research outside of the academic community.

Dissemination

There is much more emphasis for this outside academia than there used to be (so be aware of this when seeking advice from ‘old hands’). As well as other academics; government departments, public bodies, businesses, institutions (such as the RIBA!) voluntary organisations may be among the other interested parties. When planning the project consult with and involve people who could make a valuable contribution to the research and who could provide support and interest.

Check

Once you have completed the application form make sure that all the required information is provided.

Home

huw — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 05:16:46 CST

This is a new initiative by the Construction Industry Council (CIC), CIC Construction Knowledge Bank is intended to be a source of information to be shared generally but monitored and edited by invite.