The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has submitted a building action plan to the Scottish Government under an initiative in support of the reopening of schools.
Propose measures include repurposing existing vacant property near schools, or building temporary accommodation in suitable locations with a common design approach, including fit-out, to ensure compliance with site operating procedures (SOPs).
Hew Edgar, chair of the Futures sub-group of the Forum and Interim Head of UK Policy at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), says: "We have a wealth of consultants and contractors who could participate in such a project.
Inspired by other emergency situations, including the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the fire at the Glasgow School of Art, the Forum claims such measures would ensure the health and safety of staff and pupils, and also stimulate the economy by providing a pipeline of work for consultants and contractors.
Hew Edgar, chair of the Futures sub-group of the Forum and Interim Head of UK Policy at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), says: "We have a wealth of consultants and contractors who could participate in such a project.
In its letter, the Forum says: "We have discussed the potential for the industry to adopt steps by which a full return to learning may take place and suggest there are a spectrum of measures to minimise cost and the need for intervention.
The initiative comes after John Swinney, MSP, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said on June 23 that the current aim was to re-open schools full time rather than using a 'blended model'.
"These could each follow a common design approach, and fitted out to minimise the possibility of cross-contamination between students both inside and outside the classroom.
"Contractors on the internal fit-out of these units could undertake the work and by being a generic design, a programme of works be established to ensure compliance with SOPs.
"If such design principles were agreed, suppliers across Scotland will respond which would stimulate the construction industry and create a solution to ensure the continued education of Scotland’s school pupils during this time.
"This will create a short-term pipeline of work for consultants and contractors across Scotland and the right environment for the continuation of existing apprentices work-based evidence and future apprenticeship opportunities."
The letter endorses earlier suggestions by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland which has already written to Mr Stewart regarding innovative thinking on the subject of school capacity during the crisis.
Edgar adds: "Scotland is very well based to deliver such a programme with the quality of construction consultants within the industry, quality of contractors and using the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre.
The letter endorses earlier suggestions by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland which has already written to Mr Stewart regarding innovative thinking on the subject of school capacity during the crisis.
The proposal is the latest from the forum which, since the beginning of the enforced industry shutdown, has been at the forefront of positive actions to benefit the sector, work colleagues and the community.
Made up of trade associations, professional services bodies, companies and individuals, the Forum stepped into the fray immediately in March with advice on how to operate safely while carrying out emergency or essential work. It has since then been drawing on the collective expertise of its members to maintain a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and conducting regular dialogue with Government Ministers.
