Topical Commentary • Construction Recruitment Medium-sized Enterprises are being offered increased funding
looking to get things moving again. Investing in having the right people in place is a vital element of getting business and their projects back on track. What can we expect to see happen to recruitment processes in the sector over the next few months?
give recruitment a competitive advantage. Offering a smarter, more efficient system within the recruitment process. AI can be used to schedule interviews, screen CV’s and using algorithms, can match the right people to the right jobs, showing the relevant jobs to targeted audiences. Chatbots can also be used to increase candidate engagement. All these factors leading to an increase in productivity that also equates to lower business costs. Alongside the change in recruitment, the pandemic has brought around a stronger than expected demand for housing and refurbishment work. The residential market seems to be picking up speed in terms of getting house building projects back on track. With many new projects due to start alongside the current projects that fell behind now scheduled to resume, could well result in an increase in demand from large housing projects. Alongside the rise within the residential market, industry professionals have estimated that infrastructure will see a rise by a third this year! Despite the slow start at the beginning of the year, this particular sector may become one of the main drivers to the construction industry. Looking ahead for the construction industry, things are predicted to have a gradual but sustained recovery in the year ahead. Industry forecasters are predicting construction output will rise 14% this year, we keep our fingers crossed that this will be a good year for the construction industry with many opportunities. ■
for taking on apprentices. Universities are seeing an increase of students applying hoping to break through to their chosen profession. Some choosing more hands-on courses such as productivity and construction courses, something we welcome with open arms as we hope to kickstart growth and level up construction industry careers. Some businesses have taken this opportunity to start the recruitment process early with the idea to recruit now but have a delayed start date on any new employees.
With the industry having fallen behind on a lot of
projects, predicts the industry could see an increase in job opportunities within the sector. The construction industry is starting the road to recovery which will come with its own set of challenges, but also allows for major opportunities and the potential to bring in a wider range of new workers.
Employers are keen to attract this
The industry could see an increase in job opportunities
demographic and offering
a variety of roles such mentoring opportunities which will provide more on the job training and experience making their businesses much more appealing. Covid-19 has encouraged greater digital adaptation within the construction industry and the use of this technology such as drones and artificial intelligence has indeed made an advance in regard to on site working. But on-site construction is not the only aspect of the industry that can benefit from the inclusion of digital technology. Recruitment has also had the opportunity to take advantage of this technology. The process of recruitment can be lengthy and time-consuming. Artificial intelligence (AI) systems can
People are desperately looking for jobs and employers are receiving more job applications and CVs than ever from people trying to break into the sector. With shortages continuing in key areas of the industry there is a high demand for construction skills in the hopes of getting any sectors that have fallen behind back on track. The Government have set out plans for a ‘Lifetime Skills Guarantee’ in order to recognise the need for new skills within the sector. The scheme aims for those without A-Levels or equivalent qualification to be offered a free, fully-funded college course alongside an
increase in apprenticeship opportunities. Small and
30 • FEBRUARY 2021 • Plant Planet
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