Members of the Federation of Enfield Construction Services (FOECS) held their first meeting at CONEL led by local businessman Tony Yianni. centre, during which Gary Kousoulou, right, was elected the chairman of the group.
Passionate and vocal, the Federation of Enfield Construction Services (FOECS) met for the first time at CONEL’s Enfield Centre in May.
The historic meeting to elect a chair and move forward on their key objectives of bringing new entrants into the construction industry, as well as securing local jobs for local people were the uppermost topics of debate.
Around 30 of the 70 strong Federation members attended the meeting, led by local businessman Tony Yianni.
FOECS was set up to provide a strong voice, representing people from the industry to the local council, which is organising regeneration projects on a massive scale in Enfield.
These projects include: Meridian Water, a waterside housing project, which will lead to 10,000 homes built by major contractor Barratt; hundreds of new homes coming to the Ponders End Electric Quarter, as well as, the Ladderswood, Alma Road and New Avenue estates.
Tony Yianni said: “The Council need local construction firms to make these projects work. We’re here to lobby on behalf of our industry and members and to make sure that local business people benefit from the build of these projects.”
A hot topic at the meeting included skills shortages, and Jackie Chapman, CONEL’s Director for Apprenticeships was on hand to talk about the free recruitment and training her team offer to local businesses.
FOECS members particularly want to see more professionals coming into the industry and welcomed apprenticeships for surveyors, project managers and estimators – all areas currently under development at CONEL.
Matt Wylds, Head of Construction at CONEL, said: “It’s brilliant that an industry led federation is meeting at CONEL because it gives us an excellent sounding board to bounce new ideas off when we’re creating courses and to hear from industry professionals about what it is their industry needs.”
CONEL was delighted to see two alumni return to their old college as Lauren Price Business Development Coordinator of ARG group attended, a former business admin apprentice at Enfield Centre and Marios Poumpouris MD for Chiller Box Ltd, a former Construction Level 3 student from Tottenham Centre.
The meeting unanimously elected Gary Kousoulou as their Chair.