The long way forward : Individual competence and organisational capability in the built environment

Abstract

This paper sets out the basis for what individual competence (now known as skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours [SKEB]) and organisational capability (the management of competence by organisations) mean in the context of the new regulatory regime for the built environment. It discusses comments made by Dame Judith Hackitt and the recommendations of the final Grenfell Tower Inquiry report relating to competence. It considers what the Building Safety Act requires, and how these requirements are supplemented by regulations and guidance, specifically with regard to the new duty-holding roles created by the Act. The paper reports on existing methodologies that may be used to demonstrate organisational capability, and the ongoing current (at time of writing) work to further define what will likely become best practice. It then suggests where this may — or should — lead in relation to clients and/or employers looking to recruit or employ both competent individuals and organisations that can demonstrate they have an appropriate management system to manage all the competences necessary to deliver on contract and legal obligations: registers. The paper concludes with an exploration of what governance a public register should have, and a call-to-arms for the sector to start planning for independent and verifiable registers now, as it will take time to put in place suitable and sufficient processes to make them successful. This article is also included in The Business & Management Collection which can be accessed at https://hstalks.com/business/.