Industry experts and stakeholders highlighted the need for a less siloed, more joined-up approach across the construction sector, encouraging collaboration at an earlier stage between schools and employers, to highlight the myriad of career pathways available within construction.
These opportunities and more were discussed during the latest Develop Croydon Skills and Construction roundtable on 4th October.
The roundtable discussed the significant contribution construction makes to the Croydon economy, whilst also highlighting the ongoing workforce needs to sustain its growth, including new skills training, as well as the desire to promote the industry as a dynamic and exciting career choice.
Key comments from the discussion are below, with the full report of the roundtable available to read online here
Peter Sutcliffe – Director Head of building Engineering UK&I at AECOM “There is also increasing emphasis on the digital age and what this looks like in construction. Many contractors are trying to bring this technology on to sites and upskill the workforce in these areas. We can see this happening in a lot of offsite manufacturing solutions, with a big push from government. Within this, we’re seeing a number of modular manufacturing solutions, which is creating a shift away from traditional skillsets – with more skills required off-site and in factories”.
Terry Downham – Senior Business Account Manager at John Ruskin “Part of the issue with the ‘skills gap’ is the skills being taught. Further education is very traditional by nature. And while such skills are important, for example bricklaying or carpentry, they are only part of what is needed. In modular builds, for example, management skills are also a critical component… What the industry needs is greater infrastructure. We need more civil engineers on the ground, particularly given the push for greener energy and modular builds.”
George Agyekum-Mensah – Head of Division for Construction, Property and Surveying at LSBU. “The industry itself is segregated and it has been like this for a long time. We know that 98% of the construction industry is made up of SMEs and they do most of the work, however many of the decisions we make don’t involve the SMEs at all. Engaging them is key to filling the skills gap.”
Harry Clarke – Project Director at Henry Riley “We need greater awareness at a school level of all the roles available in construction. If there isn’t the awareness of these roles, then we cannot expect [young people] to pursue them as a career. This type of outreach is incredibly important for promoting the pipeline as well as breaking down stereotypes about the industry”.
Polly Persechino – Head of Employment and Skills at South London Partnership We have an aging workforce that we cannot fulfil. We need people to go into schools and colleges to speak with young people about the careers available; we need the process of applying for jobs and getting on-site made easier; we need more SMEs to engage with us around skills needed and we need more support to get the staff into the further education colleges to be able to upskill.
Develop Croydon’s Skills and Construction roundtable was chaired by Jo Gumb, Director, White Label, and made up of:
George Agyekum-Mensah, Head of Division for Construction, Property and Surveying, London South Bank University
Polly Persechino, Head of Employment and Skills, South London Partnership
Peter Sutcliffe, Director, AECOM
Mat Trewin, New Business Manager, Willmott Dixon
Kris Wadley, Company New Business Manager, Willmott Dixon
Sam English, Senior Employment Brokerage officer, Croydon Work
Terry Downham, Senior Business Account Manager, John Ruskin
Miemie Neethling-Taylor, Head of Higher Education, Croydon College
Harry Clarke, Project Director, Henry Riley