Industry Competence Committee for the Building Safety Regulator

[edit] Background to the new committee

The Industry Competence Committee (ICC), due to have its first meeting in September 2023, will have a role in advising both the built environment industry and the Building Safety Regulator within HSE on matters of competence. Its formation is a requirement of the Building Safety Act 2022.

This requirement came out of lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and Dame Judith Hackitt’s ‘Building a Safer Future’ review of building regulations and fire safety. A lack of skills, knowledge and experience across industry was identified as contributing to poor safety and standards in buildings.

[edit] Commenting on the new Roles

The Electrical Contractors Association's (ECA) Vice President Ruth Devine and the Joint Industry Board's (JIB) Chief Executive Jay Parmar have been appointed to the Building Safety Regulator's new Industry Competence Committee (ICC).

Ruth Devine, Managing Director of SJD Electrical and Vice President of ECA, said, "I’m delighted to be appointed to the ICC, I look forward to supporting the important work of the Building Safety Regulator to improve competence and standards across the built environment sector."

Commenting on his appointment to the ICC, Mr Parmar said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be selected as a member of the ICC. My experience with the JIB, role as Chair of the CSCS Alliance, and roles with associated organisations has made me acutely aware of the key issues that run through our industry. I look forward to supporting the Committee make a proactive and positive impact in enhancing safety, competence and enhance standards across the built environment.”

[edit] Building Safety Regulator statement

A statement from the Building Safety Regulator reads, "It is vital that residents feel safe and are safe in their homes. Competence is crucial to achieve this. Anyone involved in design or building work must be competent to do their job properly and comply with building regulations to ensure safe and high-quality buildings.

"The committee will support the work of the Building Safety Regulator by providing insights and guidance to facilitate an improvement of competence across industry.

"Competence is also dynamic and must respond to change. The Chair and members of the ICC are keenly aware of the cultural and behaviour changes that are vital requirements to ensure industry professionals have the skills, knowledge, and a rigorous and consistent approach and understanding towards competence to carry out their roles.

"The committee’s work will help bring industry together and encourage a more cohesive approach to competence. The committee will engage with a wide range of industry stakeholders and leaders to help this happen and bring in the knowledge required for the committee to give evidence-based advice.

"To have maximum impact and effectiveness, collaborative working will be crucial – and the ‘call to action’ from the ICC is that everyone in the industry needs to take responsibility and play their part, to nurture, promote and drive-up standards of competence across all sectors of the built environment."

This article appears on the ECA news and blog site as "ECA and JIB leaders appointed to new competence committee" dated August 9, 2023.

--ECA

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