Caring for our construction community
January can feel like a tough month for most of us. After the excitement of the Christmas and New Year holiday, where we might’ve filled ourselves with mince pies and turkey surrounded by loved ones, we suddenly find ourselves back in the real world and back to work. That is, if we are fortunate enough to be employed.
January can feel like a tough month for most of us. After the excitement of the Christmas and New Year holiday, where we might’ve filled ourselves with mince pies and turkey surrounded by loved ones, we suddenly find ourselves back in the real world and back to work. That is, if we are fortunate enough to be employed.
No matter your career, your skills or your situation, sometimes misfortune can hit. Whether through illness or redundancy, we can find ourselves falling on tough times. This has been no more noticeable for our industry this week than with the liquidation of Carillion. As an Institute, and an industry, we are a close-knit community. As an employer of 20,000 in the UK, including many of our members, the collapse of Carillion has sent large ripples across that community, unsettling many from their careers and future plans.
The aim of the CIOB is not just to support our members’ development of skills and knowledge but also their welfare and care. It was for situations like this that we set up our Benevolent Fund in 1992. Our Fund Secretary, Frank MacDonald, is a trained counsellor who offers advice on issues ranging from career development to employee rights and benefits. The Fund itself has been created from the generosity of our members, allowing us to offer this unique resource to our members across the world.
So if you’re struggling at work or at home, please don’t stay silent. We are here to help. Both as an organisation and as a community of colleagues who want to see you continue your career in construction with passion and determination.
If you need help and support, please contact Frank on 01344 630780 or email [email protected]. There is more information about the Fund available on our website here.
If you would like to help others, please continue to support the Fund either through setting up an annual subscription or giving a one-off donation through our member’s portal here.
If you require information further information specifically about the Carillion liquidation and what to do next, the PwC website has a range of guidance and contact details depending on your role and situation. Visit the site here to find out more.