CIOB - General - UK, Bidding for Gold Launch

Date: 17 Nov 2006

The Bidding for Gold initiative was launched at the Chartered Institute of Building's headquarters in Ascot on Wednesday 15th November. The launch brought key clients and developers together with Small to Medium Enterprises (SME's) in the south east construction and built environment sector to explore opportunities together.

Bidding for Gold is a European Social Fund (ESF) and Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funded project, run in partnership with Business Link, the Chartered Institute of Building and the South East Centre of the Built Environment.

The initiative provides support and training to SME's in the construction and built environment sector, to help them form flexible groups to bid for construction projects they may be unable to tender for as a single organisation. The project runs from July 2006 to June 2008.

Bob Heathfield Chairman, South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE) and Past President of the Chartered Institute of Building said, "Bidding for Gold presents a unique opportunity for SMEs to improve their ability to become involved in some of larger construction contracts that are being generated here in the South East. Those delegates I spoke to were pleased that SMEs were finally being recognised as an important element in the growth of the construction industry and welcomed the chance to network while improving their skills. There are of course challenges ahead but with help from programmes like Bidding for Gold I sincerely hope to see this part of the industry prosper from the significant opportunities in the future."

Christina Montague Regional Strategy Adviser, CITB-ConstructionSkills, Southern counties commented, "Improving business performance and competitiveness of construction companies is one of the key challenges facing the industry; this project should help to meet this challenge in the south east."

Bob Langton Chairman, Business Link Solution for Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire added, "This injection of funding from the European Social Fund, ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in the UK is just the sort of tonic needed for the construction industry. There is a shortage of skilled operative's right across the south east and this programme will create the right environment to attract more skilled people into the sector. Business Link is delighted to be supporting this initiative which will enable more SME's to play their part in this exciting period."

Stella Bellem, Head of Culture at SEEDA commented, "Delivering the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a huge opportunity for businesses across a wide range of sectors, but in particular the construction sector. It's a huge opportunity too to help businesses improve their capacity to win business from other major UK and international projects following the Games."

Speakers included:

* Stella Bellem Head of Cultural Policy, South East England Development Agency and the South East Group for the 2012 Games

* Brian Moone Director Mace Business School

* Bob Heathfield Chairman, South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE) and Past President of the Chartered Institute of Building

* Christina Montague Regional Strategy Adviser, CITB-ConstructionSkills, Southern counties

* Bob Langton Chairman, Business Link Solution for Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

* Sarah Peace, Bidding for Gold Project Manager, the Chartered Institute of Building

* Tony Myhill, Bidding for Gold Project Manager, South East Centre for the Built Environment (SECBE)

Participating SME's will:

* Discover potential business within the South East arising as a result of preparing for the 2012 Olympics.
* Gain a perspective on procurement training available through the project.
* Build networks with other construction professionals and organisations.

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