networks
Build Norfolk is Norfolk County Council's ground-breaking SCRN developed from the original pilot scheme in 2004. It is a broad-based partnership of construction clients, main contractors and business support organisations that harnesses the influence and responsibility of local construction buyers in helping develop the skills and capacity of their supply chains. Build Norfolk has won the prestigious Construction Client of the Year (Outstanding Support for Training) award for an unprecedented three years in a row. Currently there are over 800 member firms in Build Norfolk.
Build Hertfordshire is an initiative led by Hertfordshire County Council which aims to help small and medium sized businesses to be part of the building process for the County Council and other public sector partners in Hertfordshire. Build Hertfordshire enables small businesses operating in the built environment to find out about future development plans. It also tells them what they need to do to apply for this work, and, where appropriate, to help them to develop their business skills to better qualify them to tender for work opportunities from main contractors. The Build Hertfordshire website coordinates and enables much of this communication as well as helping over 550 local businesses to view and apply for work opportunities.
The Build Essex SCRN was launched in November 2009 and is aimed at developing the construction supply chain within the county by helping small and medium sized businesses in the built environment industry to develop. It enables local businesses to find out about future development plans. It also tells them what they need to do to apply for this work, and, where appropriate, to help them to develop their business skills to better qualify them to tender for work opportunities from main contractors. Over 500 local firms joined the network in the first 18 months of operation.
Build East Sussex is a joint venture between East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council that launched in January 2010. The network has grown rapidly with the Authorities' Contractors posting a significant amount of work to help generate high network registration and event attendance levels and over 450 local firms joined in the first 14 months of operation.
BuildNorthYorkshire launched at the Pavilions of Harrogate in May 2010. North Yorkshire County Council has invited a number of other public sector procurers to partner the network including the Primary Care Trust, Fire and Rescue, Police, Housing Associations and Defence Estates in order to bring together real opportunities for local sub-contractors and help to build enhanced capacity and capability in the North Yorkshire supply chain. Over 400 local firms of all sizes joined the network in the first year of operation.
Founded in 2007, Build Up North Staffordshire aims to ensure that the wealth created by major building and regeneration projects across the region benefits local firms. It also makes sourcing a high quality local labour force as easy as possible for construction company buyers. It acts as a support network for major contractors to highlight tender opportunities and to enable local companies to bid for this work. Training is also offered to firms needing to develop and enhance their employees' skills set and give themselves the best possible chance of successfully competing for work. Such is the success of this innovative support network that already over 600 suppliers of services to the construction industry have signed up from bricklayers and plumbers to electricians and architects, along with dozens of influential contractors. Organisations such as Kier Stoke, Lovell Construction, Aspire, North Staffordshire Housing, Compendium, amongst many others, currently use Build Up to source and buy construction related services.
Eco-net is Build Up North Staffordshire's Green Supply network launched in November 2009
Great Minds is Build Up North Staffordshire's Creative/Cultural network launched in November 2009
Workbox is Build Up North Staffordshire's Construction and Built Environment network launched in November 2009 building on the existing network.