Blog: Keith Heard's reflection on 44 years

24 June 2024

“The most important person in an office is the cleaner.” ...

I heard this when I started out in my career in 1980 as a fresh civil engineering graduate, I have heard it several times since, and indeed just recently in an important governance meeting. I recall a Formula One Team talking about the cleaners being as much a part of the team as the engineers. Construction does not seem to value its trades people in the same way.

I have been so lucky to have had a varied and enjoyable 44-year career which has included time with a main contractor, a construction manager, a client (BAA), and with local government. I honestly believe that almost all off my most memorable lifelong learning has come from conversations or interaction with trades people who deliver the work, and I include lessons on life and relationships as well as the technical stuff.  All the best ideas and innovations come from those who deliver the work, day in and day out on site.

And yet, no-one seems too worried. For main contractors, the supply chain is just a vehicle to take risk, and for clients and consultants they are the main contractor’s problem. Main contractors think they have exclusivity on their supply chains, and consultants think if you tender a big enough pool you will get the price you want. Eventually, with all the risk and responsibility kicked down the supply chain to the person doing the work, the physical, mental and financial impacts take their toll.

I was pleased to see the CITB launching its business plan aiming to reduce the skills gap in construction, something that we have been discussing as the NACF for some years. Indeed, as the SCF, we established Co Train with SECBE because we wanted to make a difference and train and encourage people into our industry where they can grow and express themselves. This continues to be hugely important, and I know that in years to come Co Train will be part of the national strategy to reduce skills shortages.

On social media, we see so many industry commentators telling us what is wrong with the industry, and how to put it right. The problem is that construction does not form teams like an F1 Team, in fact quite the opposite. The process pulls together completely different people from different professions, different walks of life, and competing egos, and expects them to deliver a best possible value result. Many of our industry commentators have not had the experience of leading such a team, had the difficulties of competing objectives, ideas, or standards. I hope that in years to come, SECBE’s IFLP will produce commentators who can talk with some conviction and experience about how they inspired these teams to recognise the importance of each other, and the importance of their work to enabling others in the team.

Maybe then, with a focus on our people, the supply chain, and integrated teams under inspiring leadership we will see step changes in the way we do things. This is my last year in the industry I have enjoyed and benefitted from for the last 44 years. I now say goodbye to SECBE and the industry to turn my attention to other things.