Held at a new venue for 2019, the annual Jersey Construction Council Awards attended by over 430 people was held at the Royal Jersey Showground on Saturday 19 October.
A total of 12 awards were presented to individuals and organisations connected with a wide range of projects undertaken over the past 12 months.
Hosted by Karen Rankine, those who attended were entertained by US comedian Rich Hall who has performed at regular Edinburgh Fringe events and his visit was kindly sponsored by Hawk Development Finance. The audience were also entertained by Sam Walwyn, 2015 winner of the PWC Young Musician of the Year and MOBO nominated artiste Natalie Williams who performed with her band, Soul Family.
Martin Holmes, Chairman of the Jersey Construction Council welcomed distinguished guests including His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor to the event. In his address to the industry, he said whilst the perception was that the industry is busy, the reality is that 17 months into a new government there has been little positivity to report on a number of fundamental issues affecting the industry and the consequential lack of certainty could have a significant negative impact on the sectors plans to maintain a locally sourced, highly skilled and modern industry, through investment in key areas such as innovation, digital transformation and developing future talent.
The Council has worked hard over the past year to attract youngsters into the industry and Mr Holmes reported significant progress on four specific vocational initiatives that the industry has launched over the last year in conjunction with their education partners.
- The new GCSE equivalent in Design, Engineer, Construct has proven a great success.
The pilot course launched by Le Rocquier School, supported by the J3 Consortium as their industry sponsors has been oversubscribed, and there is now have Haute Vallée in partnership with Andium Homes and Les Quennevais with ROK Group, signed up for the qualification.
To ensure there will be progression for students, Highlands College are developing the A-Level version of DEC for the years ahead, delivering a pipeline of local built environment talent for the industry.
- The Primary Engineer programme in partnership with Skills Jersey, has seen over 40 schools and nurseries being visited by engineers and construction professionals from many of the member companies explaining their work and career highlights and building aspirations for children as young as 3 up to 6th year.
- The Civil Engineering Apprenticeship course is well into its second year being delivered in collaboration with member companies, ensuring the curriculum reflects up to date practices and technology and discussions are ongoing with all partners in relation to a Degree provision from September 2020.
- Resources and approvals are now in place to allow Highlands College to run the bespoke Facilities Management qualification which will commence in September 2020.
The net result of all of these initiatives when added to the growing numbers enrolled in numerous other programmes at Highlands College means that there is now in excess of 650 students actively engaged in industry learning and career development.
As always the Brick Foundation was a key beneficiary of the awards event, which held a raffle that raised a significant amount for the charity.
Following the successful project undertaken last year at the Methodist Café, the Council challenged themselves to “go bigger” and support a project that will pay back the benefactor year after year.
With this in mind the Council is presently redeveloping one of the old kennel blocks at the JSPCA into a bespoke Small Animal Centre that will house animals such as rabbits, rodents, reptiles and even kittens. The Centre will contain purpose-built units to suit the specific needs of each species.
This large-scale project has certainly challenged the generosity of the JeCC Members who have volunteered to be involved.
The 12 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.
Major project winner for this year was College Gardens which won the Ronez Project of the Year Over £5m category. One of the island’s most iconic buildings, grade 2 listed and over 130 years old. The team were contracted to build 187 new homes, use over 1.5km electric cable, over 10,000 tons of concrete, enough steel reinforcement and mesh to cover 3 ½ football pictures and at its peak a workforce on site of over 250 – providing challenges on all levels.
As well as being involved in the College Gardens winning entry, ROK Group were also crowned Comprop Business of the Year Over 10 Employees Award.
Other projects that were recognised on the night included the private house of Maison Du Coin in Grouville winning the Islands Insurance Project of the Year up to £1m award and Summerland Enabling Works who won the Paul Davis Freight Project of the Year between £1 – £5m award.
The Jersey Electricity Sustainability Award was won by IFC 5 and the Glen Dimplex Best Use of Innovation Award was won by Ronez for their New Ready Mixed Concrete Production Facility.
This year the judges also made a recommendation that an extra award be presented to an individual who had made a significant impact to the industry. This award was presented to Briony Price of DB Malorey Ltd who has shown excellent trade skills and has added substantially to her employer’s growing business and is a true role model for this industry and the judges specifically wanted to recognise her achievements.
Full List of winners –
Highlands College/Skills Jersey Star of the Future Award
Ruaraidh Watson – Camerons
Granite Products Industry Achiever of the Year Award
Richard De Gruchy – ROK Group
Jersey Development Company Health & Safety Award
Camerons
JE Sustainability Award
IFC 5
Glen Dimplex Best Use of Innovation Award
New Ready Mixed Concrete Production Facility
Grant Thornton Business of the Year Under 10 Employees
Jersey Energy
Comprop Business of the Year Over 10 Employees
ROK Group
Islands Insurance Project of the Year up to £1m
Maison Du Coin
Paul Davis Freight Project of the Year Between £1 – £5m
Summerland Enabling Works
Ronez Project of the Year Over £5m Award
College Gardens (Blocks 2-6)
JeCC Lifetime Achiever
Dan Hartigan
