THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY
MARK SPENCE, MANAGING
DIRECTOR FOR CEF WELCOMES NEWLY
COMMISSIONED REPORT WHICH
HIGHLIGHTS URGENCY IN TACKLING SKILLS SHORTAGE… Embracing change: CEF seeks solutions for skills shortage
A s with every other sector of our economy, the construction industry is facing into a time of great change. Key drivers such as the green economy and net zero as well as the increasing roles for digitisation, AI and software development in construction and manufacturing processes mean that we cannot afford to stand still.
Review of apprenticeship delivery model – ensuring apprenticeships are delivered in the most appropriate and beneficial way to best equip trainees for site work, provide them with a holistic learning experience and ensure they remain employed in work following their apprenticeship; Skills alignment through more effective engagement by and with the education sector – fostering increased dialogue with education (incl. private training sector) to achieve alignment to the necessary on-site skills through effective skill gap analysis, future planning, and more agile bitesize learning opportunities; Review of pay and rewards packages within the industry – maintaining NI’s competitiveness as an attractive employment market to local employees through improved procurement processes,
local construction market and bring forward a series of recommendations for talent intervention in our marketplace. This report, now completed, took a variety of approaches to better comprehend the sector as it is today and the path ahead. Through a combination
Mark Spence, Construction Employers Federation (CEF) Managing Director.
of desktop research, questionnaires and stakeholder workshops, we
However, in moving to proactively deal with these changes and make the most out of the opportunities they represent, the single biggest threat we currently have is a shortage of new skills and talent entering our industry. For the last year therefore, we in the Construction Employers Federation have been working with the Trade Unions in a company called Construction Futures, commissioning EY to review the
identified the six most impactful interventions that we believe could have the most tangible impact: Establish a Construction Skills Forum between education, government and industry – a cross-sectoral group that meets at an agreed frequency to address key issues facing the industry, with a focus on skills, sponsored by an independent organisation for maximal impact;
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