Training worth over US$250k offered free to construction professionals

The dollar value of the free CPD-certified education programme at Middle East Concrete 2015 and PMV Live 2015 could be as much as US$250,000 to the GCC construction industry, according to the man behind the two popular events. Nathan Waugh, Event Director for Middle East Concrete and PMV Live said: “Visitors to the events will have access to 75 free CPD-certified workshops led by industry experts in their respective fields.”   Assuming a conservative average cost of US$70 per person per workshop and that all of the workshops are full each day (as they were during the 2014 event), Waugh said the direct value in terms of free training provided to the construction industry over four days would be over US$250,000    He also said that the opportunity to attend free sessions and receive certification is a major added value for visitors, taken up by greater numbers each year. In addition to cost savings emerging from having access to free training, he further remarked that having certified staff can help companies get ahead in a competitive market.   “Not only is the regional construction industry becoming more competitive on account of the value of contracts being awarded, but the trend towards plant and machinery automation means there is a constant need for training in order to maintain pace with technologies and increase resource efficiency.”   Held alongside The Big 5, the largest construction event in the GCC region, Middle East Concrete and PMV Live will offer more free education than any other event in the Middle East and Asia, and Waugh said this year’s education programme will be even bigger.   “The UAE construction industry is one of the most significant contributors to GDP, and we are excited to see how the free education sessions on offer continue to add value to those responsible for the built environment,” said Waugh.   “As a result, we have added more workshops to this year’s event in order to increase the value of the events to visitors and the industry as a whole.”