Letter from the PDA Chief Executive

It has been a busy couple of months since I last spoke with you. Our Apprentice of the Year competition tour concluded back in May, with eight candidates from the regional heats in the grand final at Doncaster College. I would like to thank all the colleges, lecturers, and supporting teams for the tremendous hard work they put in to host these competitions. Each of the Apprentices who took part were a credit to not only themselves, but their respective colleges, employers, and families. It was a real pleasure to meet them all as we travelled around the country.

Four apprentices from the grand final will be invited to London on 6 July, to join me on stage as part of the Trophy Awards celebrations at Plaisterers’ Hall. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations on your success. For those juniors who didn’t get through this time around, don’t be put off, let’s see you back in the competitions next year!

In recent weeks you will have seen PDA promoting National Mental Awareness Week via our social media channels. Mental health issues in the construction sector have again been making headlines in the media. The PDA has its own link to the Lighthouse Club, and the Markel Law 24/7 counselling service. We are committed to doing what we can to support our Members in this difficult and often unspoken area.

The reality is, that the statistics make grim reading, two construction workers taking their own life every day. On a larger scale, we have to re-shape the culture of the industry, but on a personal level, we can all help to support someone we know who may be struggling. The Lighthouse Club website has a huge number of resources easily accessible to anyone who needs a little extra support. Furthermore, the PDA counselling service is a listening ear for people to talk through their difficulties. Taking that first step is the hardest part. We all think that we are immune from such things, but they can creep up on us unawares.

Our list of Associate Partners continues to grow, with recent additions being Markel Law, PDS Promotions (event organisers of the National Painting & Decorating Show), SuperScript Insurance, and an American company, TriTech Industries Inc. They have invited me to visit them in New Jersey later this month, to see their immense production site for professional quality airless spray machines. An article about my visit will feature in a future edition of the magazine.

Once again, I ask those remaining Member companies who are still to pay their subscriptions this year to do so as soon as possible. It will soon be six months since the requests for payment were made in mid-December 2022, with reminder letters in February and March. To see the continuation of our 129-year-old Trade Body/Association with its services, benefits, and legal assistance, it is imperative that we receive these outstanding payments now. If you are having issues in paying the subscription, please contact Denice Harper our Membership Services Manager, who will be happy to discuss extended payment terms.

As always if you have any suggestions or comments to make, please contact me either by phone or email. Call on 024 7635 3776 and email neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk

Until the next time, have a good summer and stay safe out there.

Neil Ogilvie Chief Executive neil@paintingdecoratingassociation.co.uk