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Construction Industry rewarded for response to Covid pandemic
After a challenging 18 months, the construction industry came together to recognise and celebrate their achievements over the past two years. Following the postponement of the 2020 awards and in front of an audience of over 400 people from all aspects of the industry, the achievements of the past 24 months were celebrated.
Among the highlights of the night were a Judges Special Award for the Nightingale Hospital, where 83 local firms put competition aside and joined forces to build the 180 bed Covid hospital in just 25 days on site.
JeCC Chairman Martin Holmes was also recognised with an Exception Contribution Award for his tireless work to ensure that local firms were supported throughout the pandemic, keeping sites open and operating safely, ensuring there was a fully functioning industry once Covid-19 was under control.
A first for the awards was the joint award of Lifetime Achiever, which was awarded to George Carswell and Phil James, both of whom have made a significant contribution to the industry for many years.
Hosted by ITV presenter, Jess Dunsdon, guests were entertained by news presenter Naga Munchetty and local artist Moya well known for her performance on the ITV show, The Voice; the night ending with local band Inside Job.
Martin Holmes, Chairman of the Jersey Construction Council welcomed distinguished guests and in his address to the industry highlighted the Council’s pivotal role throughout the Covid-19 pandemic in working collaboratively with Government to ensure the industry was able to emerge from the pandemic in good shape.
Mr Holmes referenced the successful delivery of the multiple award winning Nightingale Hospital as a shining example of what can be achieved if a common purpose is embraced by the whole development team from the outset and urged that key successes from this exemplar project of agile decision-making, fast implementation and a collaborate approach become embedded as the benchmark for the delivery of future projects.
Reflecting on the emerging difficulties of the post Brexit labour market, Mr Holmes focused on the key priority of developing homegrown future talent and the significant progress over the last two years of the Design Engineer Construct programme with over 400 children across five island secondary schools now studying Construction as a core subject through Level 1 and 2 DEC! programmes and Level 3, an accredited A level equivalent, being offered at both Highlands College and Hautlieu from this September.
The ongoing importance of Health and Safety was also highlighted with the launch of a joint initiative between the Jersey Safety Council and six of the largest main contractors to roll out through the supply chain Behavioural Safety Leadership Training.
As always, the Brick Foundation was also a key beneficiary of the awards night, with a raffle that raised over £4,000 enabling the sub-committee to identify a further worthy project to commence in the near future.
The 13 awards presented at the gala dinner highlighted the extensive range of experience and talent and shows that construction is a key local industry and continues to plan for the future, whilst recognising young achievers and innovative ideas that will be crucial in the development of the islands built environment.
Full list of winners –
Highlands College/Skills Jersey Star of the Future Award
Gavin Scott – Camerons
Jersey Develoment Company Health & Safety Award
ROK/Regal
JE Sustainabilty Award
La Vieille Êcole
Le Masurier Best Use of Innovation Award
Rock Removal for Sensitive Sites – NONEX PBCs
JeCC Business of the Year Under 10 Employees
Le Masurier
Normans/Hadley Steel Framing Business of the Year Over 10 Employees
Granite Le Pelley
Grant Thornton Project of the Year up to £1m
La Cotte de St Brelade
Ferryspeed Project of the Year between £1m-£5m
St Thomas’ Church Spire
Ronez Project of the Year Over £5m
Les Quennevais School
Judges Award
Jersey General Hospital Nightingale Wing
Exceptional Contribution to Construction
Martin Holmes
JeCC Lifetime Achievers
George Carswell & Phil James