There are over 100,000 members of organisations representing the discipline of the construction economist in Europe, whose education, training and professional standards are supervised by professional bodies, the principal ones being members of CEEC. Those bodies constitute the membership of the CEEC.
The profession of construction economist has developed along different lines in each of those European states and through the CEEC the profession exchanges information, research, knowledge and practical experience in order to promote best practice. The CEEC works closely with contractors and their clients and with our professional colleagues in the related disciplines of architect, engineering, building surveyors, building control inspectors and project managers and in particular with the European Association of Building and Construction Experts (AEEBC).
The Challenge
The owners and users of buildings and infrastructure (roads, railways and service utilities) – the clients of the construction industry – demand better quality, price certainty, and best value for money. They also want faster delivery, with minimal or no problems when handed over. They require the final product to deliver on the brief and to be capable of efficient, economic and sustainable operation and maintenance for the life term of the building or piece of infrastructure. Expectations are being raised continually.
Construction economists are obliged to provide clear and precise advice to enable the client to realise these objectives. Often, that advice will be the difference between whether the client will commence the project or not.
The Response
Among the primary aims of CEEC are to:
- Establish guidelines for the definition, content, practice and supervision of construction economics
- Co-ordinate working methods
- Facilitate the exchange of information and experience
- Promote basic and continuing education of construction economics
- Promote the furtherance of the profession of construction economist
- The profession in Europe has greatly benefited from the pan-European membership and continues to develop its uniquely practical contribution to ensure value for money at all levels of the construction industry
- The present work programme of the CEEC ensures that matters of concern to those whom construction economists serve are addressed in the most effective and professional manner
- For more on the competencies of the construction economist please follow this link; Competencies of the Construction Economist [Veronical to insert Nick Murphy’s paper and her own work on this]