Jersey Construction Council launches 2017 Awards

Wednesday 26 April 2017

The Jersey Construction Council have launched the 2017 Construction Awards, including a new category to recognise smaller businesses. Nominations are open until 26 May with a gala dinner set for 14 October.

The Health and Safety and Project of the Year Awards have also been reviewed and amended to reflect advancements in the industry.

Speaking about the new "Business of the Year under 10 employees" category, Paul Burton, Chairman of the Awards committee said: “With 1,200 of the 1,240 registered business in our sector employing less than 20 people, we have introduced a new category to give more of the industry the chance to be involved and recognised for their contribution to our successful industry."

Mr Burton also mentioned the growth the sector is currently enjoying and mentioned that the employment numbers had seen a 240 increase, making it a 15-year-high with a total of 5,490 employees. 

Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, who attended the launch of the awards yesterday at the Hotel de France, highlighted the, "...growing confidence in the construction industry in recent months and years." He told attendees that he was confident "... the economy will continue to recover in the future and that your sector will continue to work strongly." 

Chief Minister providing economic update at launch of 2017 JeCC Awards pic.twitter.com/Rl22qrDAS9

— JeCC (@buildjersey) April 25, 2017

Senator Gorst also reassured members of the construction industry that the new hospital will definitely be built. "Let there be no doubt that the hospital will be built. We might be arguing quite a lot on the way to fund it, or how much of our reserves we are going to use, but that is just the sort of things politicians like to argue about. We absolutely need a new hospital so that we can have a health service that we can be proud of in the future. The new hospital will happen!"

Concluding his address, the Chief Minister said: "Your sector is an important part in our future economic success and these awards are a great way to showcase the work you undertake day in day out. It is a great opporutnity to communicate the great work you do to the public. I am looking forward to seeing the high calibre entries and to seeing first hand some of the projects that are taking place."

Entries for the 11 categories have to be submitted before 26 May. Returning on the panel of independent judges are Chairman Graeme Smith,  CEO of Jersey Business, Professor Ed Sallis OBE and Mo Roscouet Director of Building Control, Department of the Environment. They will be joined by Jurat Mike Liston OBE and Kirstyne O'Brien, Director HSI.

Winners will be announced during a gala dinner on the 14 October at the Hotel de France.