Members from all corners of the four nations have told us how they are keen to get back to sharing experiences in person. So this year APS is planning a series of face-to-face local events around the country, where everyone can get involved, says Lesley McLeod.
Here we are, and it’s almost spring already! And the Association for Project Safety (APS) is getting ready to leap into a new season with a return to face-to-face events around our regions.
When we asked you what you valued – and what you most missed – it was clear many of you were keen to get back to sharing your experiences with colleagues around the country. There were many reasons: hearing about what is going on in your area; learning about experiences new to you; even just sharing the comradeship only networking
can provide.
We’re just sorry it’s taken so long. It was always going to take some time to bounce back after Covid and, what with the change to our regional set-up last year, it’s been a while since members have been able to get together. We also knew – with members as far apart as Thurso and Truro, Lerwick and London, Ballymena and Bradford – it was going to be a challenge to reach as many of you as possible.
And then there is increasing pressure at work. Those of you with projects on the books seem to be snowed under. Others are chasing around to keep contracts rolling in. With that in mind we realised the days when people could afford to take a whole day out to come along to a big conference were likely to be a thing of the past.
Shorter, local events
So, APS is planning a series of shorter, more local events to make it easier for everyone to get involved.
With support from your National Members Representative Group (NMRG) representatives around the four nations, the association is gearing up to take APS back on the road.
The APS president will be visiting every region starting off with a half-day event in England South on Thursday 25 April 2024.
The London event is the first of six paid events and booking will be open shortly at aps.org.uk/events. Then it’ll be on to Birmingham and Cardiff before the team takes a
well-earned summer break.
The current plan is to go to Edinburgh, Manchester and Belfast in the autumn – more about that later. Each event will focus on the changing face of the built environment in the UK and tackle your top topics with key speakers who are industry experts in their field.
Lighthouse Club
We will also be working with our friends at the Lighthouse Club charity to support its Make it Visible campaign bringing into the light ways we can all work together to improve the welfare of people working in the industry.
Don’t worry if you’re not able to make it to any of the regional dates. There is always plenty going on at APS and we are already well into our webinars and CPD sessions. This includes our highly acclaimed series on the Building Safety Act – now moving on to how the law will affect your daily working lives.
These online events are all included in the price you pay to be a member – so, to get the best bang for your buck, just go to the events section on the website and click on our live events. Take a look at the back catalogue too. You can pick up on any of the growing number of webinars in our library.
In the meantime, log on and cast your eye over the activities specific to your area. And remember, if you have any ideas for local events, or just want a chat, you can always get in touch with your local representatives.
You can find your area champions on the website: www.aps.org.uk.
