Thoughts on 2009 from John

At the very end of last year Demolition News asked some of the leaders in the demolition industry for their thoughts on the year ahead. The respondents included Michael R. Taylor, Executive Director of the National Demolition Association, and our own John Woodward.

John's response is included below:

During 2009, I would like to see:

• The IDE develop a route, via the NVQ system, to ensure that the older IDE enrolled members, who are apprehensive of the entrance exam, become full members of the only institute in the World that promotes the science and skills of demolition engineering.


• More government funding to develop demolition operatives at “grass roots” level and encourage people to enter the demolition industry via college courses. At present in the Midlands courses are available to allow school leavers to become “nail technicians” and “hair stylists” but not to become demolition operatives. ConstructionSkills run courses at Bircham Newton but places are for those who already have a job placement rather than school leavers.


• Banks realising that small businesses of 2009 can become major employers in 2012 and help from time to time as required. Many businesses need short term funding to assist with cashflow rather than loans secured against property holdings. A more flexible approach will pay dividends in the long term.


• The HSE prosecuting a couple of “big name” developers for the consistent failure to appoint CDM-C’s on time (or at all) for demolition projects. The best way to move CDM forward is to make examples of those who should know better.


• The demolition industry to continue, via the NDTG, to train our workforce and managers to ensure that the deaths and major injury incidence continues to fall.


• The industry continueing to lead the way with recycling of products such as blown foam composite panels, plasterboard and UPVC, and that guidance is published quickly to provide advice as to how to deal with these issues.

From a more personal standpoint, I would like:

• Wolves to win promotion to the Premier League (as Champions) and then to be able to stay there rather than go straight back down like they did last time.


• To spend more time coarse fishing and to catch increasingly bigger carp.


• To lose the weight I put on over Xmas, and then to keep it off as I will soon need to change my car to a low loader to move around the country!


• To spend more time with my wife Jill doing the things we both like to do.

You can view the full article over at Demolition News.