Van Elle’s Training and Assessment Manager, Paul Dobson explains why the construction industry needs to invest in training and skills development to tackle the ongoing skills crisis.
The skills shortage has been a growing concern for construction companies for several years. But recently, a forecast by the Construction Skills Network suggested the industry will need to recruit an additional 217,000 new workers just to meet demand by 2025.
The main drivers for the skills shortage across the UK construction industry are an ageing workforce, with fewer people entering the industry to replace them, and the perception of the industry itself.
Unfortunately, there’s a real lack of diversity within construction which is still perceived as a male-dominated industry. Many people are not aware of the vast array of jobs that come under the umbrella of construction.
The industry is also an incredibly competitive market and with a shortage of candidates available, companies need to look at their employee offering, to attract new talent and convince existing talent to stay.
Widening the talent pool for recruitment to attract a more diverse workplace and challenging gender inequality in construction will make the industry stronger and more appealing.
As an industry, we need to work together to try to attract a full spectrum of construction employment. Educating people and promoting the wealth of opportunities available in the sector through schools, colleges, and universities is vital.
Highlighting career paths and the support available through direct employer support or apprenticeships will help show a clear pathway for personal and professional development and a future for them within the industry.
At each stage, training and development programmes will support the workforce as the changing needs of the industry are revealed.
According to The National Open College Network (NOCN), far too many learners who enter the workforce with low skills have remained unskilled with little opportunity or ambition to progress higher.
We need to nurture our people and give them the foundations to excel in their roles and careers.
Not only does professional training support our teams to deliver their work to a high standard, but it also ensures people are made aware of the latest best practice and the safest ways to conduct their activities.
We all know that employees who receive ongoing training and support throughout their careers are proven to show greater loyalty to their company, which translates into better retention rates and higher levels of morale.
Close collaboration between operations and training teams are now more important than ever to ensure our people are being taught the correct skills to ensure the skills shortages on the horizon are addressed.
The majority of construction training programmes will lead to a card whether its CSCS, CPCS or NPORS etc. which provides proof that individuals working on any construction site are fully qualified and trained for their job roles.
For an employer, having a more qualified workforce means the business is in a stronger position for winning work and guaranteeing operational resource management is easier, whilst ensuring improved standards and safety on UK construction sites.
At Van Elle’s dedicated construction training centre, and as a construction company ourselves, we understand how important training really is.
From establishing training plans and strategies to delivering key training and associated testing, we’ve helped our clients develop the skills of their workforce since 2017.
We provide an engaging learning environment, to upskill learners of all abilities, helping them to excel to the highest standard and achieve their full potential.
If you’re reviewing your training requirements and need a supplier or partner to give you high quality, cost-effective training, contact us on 01773 304060 or via email at training@van-elle.co.uk to discuss what we can do for you.