ACE: Supporting the Construction and Engineering Consultancy Sector
The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) serves as a pivotal representative body for its members, advocating for their interests to the government and key stakeholders, including the Construction Leadership Council. By fostering a collaborative environment, ACE enables professionals to share knowledge and implement best practices across the industry.
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Key Facts
- Advocacy: Represents members' interests to government and industry stakeholders.
- Standardization: Creates and sells standard contracts for construction and engineering projects.
- Education: Manages the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC), facilitating over 3,000 placements since 2010.
- Media: Publishes Infrastructure Intelligence, reaching 26,500 unique monthly website visitors.
- Specialized Groups: Includes the Environmental Industries Commission (EIC) and the Emerging Professionals group.
Core Activities and Industry Support
ACE provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline operations and elevate the profile of consultancy firms. One of its primary contributions is the creation and sale of standard contracts, which provide a reliable legal framework for construction and engineering projects.
Beyond administrative support, ACE organizes high-impact events, awards, and conferences. These initiatives often focus on critical industry campaigns, such as the Future of Consultancy and the transition to Net Zero (the balance between greenhouse gases produced and those removed from the atmosphere).
Regional Engagement and Professional Groups
To ensure representation across the United Kingdom, ACE maintains several regional groups. These allow members to engage on a local level within the devolved nations of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, as well as in the Midlands and the North West.
These groups are instrumental in shaping ACE's opinion and policy on vital issues, including procurement, transport, and urban places. Additionally, member forums offer operational guidance on legal, business, and HR matters, often tailored to the size of the member firm.
Empowering Emerging Professionals
Formerly known as the Progress Network, the Emerging Professionals group is dedicated to future industry leaders within the first 15 years of their careers. Sponsored by Mott MacDonald, this group organizes career development opportunities throughout the UK.
Specialized Consortia and Commissions
ACE extends its influence through specialized bodies that address specific industry needs, such as training and environmental sustainability.
Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC)
ACE provides the secretariat for the TAC, a collaborative effort between engineering and consultancy firms to boost the recruitment of degree and technician apprentices. Since its inception in 2010, the consortium has enabled more than 3,000 placements and currently offers 16 different qualifications across building services engineering, civil engineering, rail design, and transport design.
Environmental Industries Commission (EIC)
Founded in 1995, the EIC represents companies operating within the environmental business sector. It officially became part of the ACE group in 2012.
Industry Intelligence and Media
To keep the sector informed, ACE produces Infrastructure Intelligence. This publication releases six print editions annually, providing a platform for expert analysis and the latest news regarding the UK's infrastructure sector. The accompanying website maintains a strong digital presence with 26,500 unique visitors per month.
| Entity/Program | Primary Focus | Key Metric/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| TAC | Apprenticeships | 3,000+ placements; 16 qualifications |
| Infrastructure Intelligence | Industry News | 6 print editions/year; 26,500 monthly web visitors |
| Emerging Professionals | Early Career Growth | First 15 years of career; Sponsored by Mott MacDonald |
| EIC | Environmental Sector | Founded 1995; Joined ACE 2012 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of ACE?
ACE represents the interests of its members to the government and stakeholders, provides standard contracts for projects, and facilitates knowledge sharing and best practices within the construction and engineering sectors.
Who can join the Emerging Professionals group?
The group is open to future industry leaders who are in the first 15 years of their professional careers.
What qualifications does the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium offer?
The TAC offers 16 qualifications spanning transport design, civil engineering, rail design, and building services engineering.
How does ACE support regional members in the UK?
ACE has established groups in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, the Midlands, and the North West to allow members to engage locally and influence policy on issues like procurement and transport.
What is Infrastructure Intelligence?
It is a magazine produced by ACE that provides expert analysis and news on the UK infrastructure sector through six annual print editions and a high-traffic website.