With one in five employers telling us they are facing a skilled labour shortage, the race for talent is an increasing challenge.
We know there are over one hundred thousand skilled construction workers currently in the job market – people who want to get back into the industry – but how do we reach them, refresh their skills and help them return at a time when we need them most?
And, at the same time, how do we attract the next generation, ensuring they have the skills and insight to meet the challenges and exploit the opportunities that the digital age is bringing to construction.
These are some of the biggest questions of the day. And whilst CITB is already working with industry to address them, we want to hear from people from across the sector on how we can best help construction to thrive in the next decade and beyond.
That’s why we’re hosting a high-level ‘Building Futures’ summit in Westminster on 10 March, to give construction employers the opportunity to have their say on the skills issues affecting them.
I’m delighted that Skills Minister Nick Boles MP, will join us for the debate, along with other high profile figures from government and industry.
Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Construction Leadership Council and partners from across our industry, Building Futures will also launch the findings from our Commission on Apprenticeships.
In the last year, we have been working closely with industry, leading think tank Demos, Lord Glasman and Robert Halfon MP, to establish an expert Commission and a long-term strategy to increase the quality and quantity of apprenticeships.
The March summit will give us the opportunity to debate the Commission’s findings and make recommendations on the way ahead for construction in England, with potential read across for Scotland and Wales.
The summit will also:
- Provide information and advice for smaller employers on how to access funding to grow their business and take on an apprentice
- Consider the image of the industry and explore how we can help careers advisors to promote construction as a fulfilling and financially rewarding career for young people
- No one knows what the future needs of construction are more than you. That is why I’m looking forward to hearing the ideas you can bring to the table.
Don’t miss out on the construction skills summit of the year! Make sure your voice is heard.
You can register for a free place from Monday 12 January through our Building Futures webpage: http://www.citb.co.uk/news-events/building-futures/.
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