B&CE is to acquire Constructing Better Health (CBH) from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), it has been announced.
The not-for-profit organisation provides financial and welfare benefits for the construction industry and will take on the CBH scheme, which aims to improve the health of the construction industry workforce, at a time when the issue of occupational health is high on the industry agenda.
The transition is set to take place in the coming months, with the aim of improving the existing CBH model and planning a strategic plan for the future.
Patrick Heath-Lay, chief executive officer of B&CE, said, “This is a great opportunity to take forward the important work of strengthening occupational health within the construction sector. We want to build on the work that Constructing Better Health has done over the past few years and, following a period of intensive engagement with the sector, launch a new proposition that really delivers for construction workers and employers.
“B&CE is proud of the work that it has done in providing simple financial and welfare benefits to the construction sector over the years. We will bring our knowledge and experience to deliver a valued occupational health scheme. We provided financial support to the CBH pilot scheme and have supported the work of Constructing Better Health from day one. We know that we can deliver a new scheme that will benefit construction even more than the existing scheme does.”
Graham Wren, chief executive of CSCS, said, “Since Constructing Better Health was established in 2004 the organisation has grown and now has around 340 employer customers. However, the importance of occupational health in the UK construction industry has grown in recent years and the CSCS Board have concluded that further growth opportunities for CBH can be better realised as part of B&CE.”
He added, “The Board considered the ability to offer occupational health alongside existing employee benefits to be a good strategic fit with Constructing Better Health, benefiting from the resources and experience of B&CE in order to invest and grow occupational health services to the benefit of the construction sector.”
