The West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence acts as a central hub for the Construction Industry in the West Midlands, driving best practice. The Centre is one of 10 regional centres around the United Kingdom, all of which are affiliated to Constructing Excellence nationally. WMCCE is managed by the University of Wolverhampton.

The Centre has four main areas of activity, around Business Improvement and Support, Sustainability, Skills and Knowledge, and working closely with others in the industry.

Business Improvement and Support

WMCCE runs a Business Improvement Programme for all organisations within the construction sector, public and private, including clients, designers, contractors and supply chains. Business Improvement Themes include Environmental Management, Health & Safety, New Market Development, KPIs, Lean Thinking, Managing Change, Procurement, Quality, Technology Transfer and Innovation.

Sustainability

WMCCE supports the Climate Change Sustainability agenda, with particular reference to new build, refurbishment / retrofit and the management of waste. Through the West Midlands Sustainable Built Environment Forum, the Centre offers a platform to industry to debate, develop and influence current policy, to disseminate best practice and keep abreast of latest thinking. The collaborative nature of the forum has developed a strong network of like minded peers, working together to find local solutions to global issues.

Skills

WMCCE has various skills initiatives including up-skilling the workforce and encouraging newcomers to the industry. This is undertaken through such things as Local Skills Academies with the Skills Funding Agency and the National Skills Academy in partnership with Construction Skills. The Centre encourages support for apprentices, graduates and people seeking work in the industry.

Knowledge

Knowledge flow to and from elements of the Construction Industry is vital to improving the knowledge of the industry. WMCCE facilitates this through the six Constructing Excellence Clubs in the West Midlands, the Demonstration Programme and the West Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards. The Centre organises regular events for the industry to keep it apace with what is happening and we also seek information in return through such things as Electronic Voting Seminars where organisations are asked to declare where they might need support in the future. This enables WMCCE to identify which organisations might need business improvement and support.

On a regular basis, the Centre issues newsletters, linked to its website and podcasts on subjects which are considered to be topical at the time. It works closely with professional institutions, federations and other organisations active in the West Midlands.

www.wmcce.org 

www.bp.wmcce.org