For more information on the Construction Employers Federation, T: +44 (0)28 9087 7143 - E: mail@cefni.co.uk visit: www.cefni.co.uk
better pipeline visibility and selling the benefits of a career in construction; Technical skills development for typical construction skills – minimising the impact of trades shortages by ensuring technical skills training is widely available for all, through continuous provision of tutors, multi-skilling of trainees, and better awareness of existing skill gaps; Promotion of construction in schools – partnering with primary and secondary schools to boost the awareness of construction as an attractive career path through the improved targeting of students, provision of career advice and an increasingly joined-up approach. While we passionately believe that what this report has presented is deliverable, we equally believe that the only way we can make substantive progress
is by embedding a culture of partnership working which we have seldom seen in recent decades. That is why the first intervention – the establishment of a Construction Skills Forum – is absolutely vital. It is unquestionable that there are already a number of organisations – such as WomensTec – taking major strides to addressing our skills shortage. However, what the current approach lacks – and desperately needs – is a more collaborative approach between the sector, trade unions, CITB, Further/Higher Education, Department for the Economy and private training providers. The Construction Skills Forum would, in our model, be responsible for deciding priorities, aligning current activities and driving the skills-related strategic agenda for the construction sector.
Once in place, it would then drive forward the other five key interventions that our report has laid out through a variety of sub-groups which would bring together those at the heart of our sector, underpinning this work with further data gathering and research to ensure that we are in the best position we possibly can be to flourish into the future. This structure, sitting as a core element reporting to the already established DfE Skills Council, can then act as the driver for change that we have long needed. As we formally launch this report, it is now our role to make the clear and unambiguous case to government of the partnership that our sector wants to see. The Report is formally launched at Stormont’s Long Gallery on 4 July, under the auspices of the All Party Working Group on Construction and sponsored by Kellie Armstrong MLA.
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