No Turning Back – How Covid-19 Has Changed Our Industry

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

A year ago Covid-19 delivered a major shock to the construction sector. Work on many projects had to stop altogether. Working arrangements on sites that were still active had to be changed drastically. For many months, it wasn’t clear how long it would take the industry to recover or what shape we’d be in when we came out of lockdown.

Life is gradually becoming more normal – even though distancing and hygiene control still affect how we work. In many ways, the industry has changed permanently and for the better. The restrictions enforced because of Covid have made us all review how we work. As with many other sectors, the shock accelerated important changes that were already in progress.

Social Value

The renewed focus on social value is a case in point. The Social Value Act meant that since 2013 relevant activities had to be considered in the award of publicly funded contracts. In practice, the depth, breadth and significance of ‘consideration’ varied significantly.

Mandating that social value must be evaluated and have a minimum 10% weighting in publicly funded procurement is a significant step. It recognises our important role within communities, and in skills development and opening good quality opportunities to people whose jobs and career pathways have disappeared.

The construction industry has the potential to play a vital part in helping the most badly affected communities recover from the economic impact of the pandemic.

Transformation and Methods

Restrictions on work sites have accelerated the adoption of MMC. This, in turn, is helping to fuel greater digitisation. Transformation provides space in our sector for people who wouldn’t previously have seen construction as a desirable or accessible option.

The Government review of public sector procurement frameworks and the Construction Playbook are positive steps. Both initiatives add structure to the general direction of travel and build on the impetus for change.

Cumulatively, the changes accelerated by Covid-19 move us along the road to net carbon zero and a more productive and sustainable industry. In these aspects, it seems that there’s definitely no turning back.