NEC in Academia

My first Blog, what are the rules of the game, I've no idea?! No doubt someone will tell me I have ignored protocol but a good outcome has to be engagement and debate followed by improvement. So what's an NEC subject close to my heart? It has to be the whole NEC learning aspect and academia in particular. So here goes......

Some years back, when there were just a few standard forms of contract available to users, the choice was very limited and academia could focus on eg JCT for building courses and ICE for civils. Each had a body of law that followed it around influencing learning, teaching and future drafting. Then along came NEC and posed a much needed question to those teaching our future professionals - how much time do I give to NEC, the new kid on the block?

For this to be answered people looked around at reports, such as those produced by the RICS - just how much is NEC used in the construction industry? My opinion is far more than suggested in out of date RICS reports, which I think is basically flawed in its research in any case and more about that in another Blog, another time! Anyway, lecturers know from experience with their undergraduates in their year out and those on part-time courses, just how much interest and use there is of NEC and are needing to emphasise accordingly.

We need to make sure there are no barriers preventing NEC becoming a key part of any appropriate course curricula and NEC in Academia is a new product to help lecturers with a range of tools from NEC to assist. See the link below for more details, including links to a possible grant source.

www.neccontract.com/products/Academia.asp

There is plenty to do - make sure lecturers are up to speed with all things NEC; make sure professional bodies have the right project management competencies promoted by NEC within their learning processes (for pre and post chartership); encourage and assist students in their learning and research; make sure that we synchronise industry best practice with academia, and so on.

So what do you think? Do you agree? Have I missed anything? What other matters are worthy of a damn good Blog?!

Robert Gerrard