MEMBER News
SCOTLAND
Meet Gordon Nelson, FMB Scotland Director
Based on your knowledge of your nation’s members, what would you say is their most pressing concern right now? I am pleased to say it isn’t workloads. From Shetland to Stranraer and from Selkirk to Stornoway, most members report a robust pipeline of works. The most pressing concern I hear from members across Scotland is labour and skills. Or as a member said to me: ‘How are we going to get people who are good enough to do the work?’
What are you working on in your nation right now? I’ve written a briefing for FMB’s marketing team on what we have been working on in Scotland. This to help construct an online campaign to attract new members. I’m also just out of meeting with FMB member Paul Dempsey of True Build Trade Services who has kindly agreed to be involved in a festival we are running in Edinburgh this August. On a scale of 1-10, how optimistic are you about the immediate future of the UK’s construction industry? Seven out of 10. I say seven based on my conversations with members and other construction industry associations. I’ve deducted three points for: ● Wage and material inflation ● The chronic skills shortage ● Obstructive attitudes of some clients
to prioritise investment in construction skills. In the FMB’s Manifesto, one of our key asks of the UK Government is to work with the industry to create clear training pathways for prospective builders. Doing so will strengthen the profession and drive up standards. Okay, now we just want to get to know you a little better. Cheese or chocolate? Do I have to choose? If so, chocolate edges it. Dog or cat? Dog. First car owned? Ford Escort. Favourite film? Which genre? Sorry, I’ll get off the fence and pick The Matrix. Favourite holiday spot? The north-west Scottish Highlands in the summer. Have you been a client of an FMB member? Yes. Edinburgh member BANN Joinery Ltd delivered excellent joinery work to the flat my wife I used to live in.
What is the FMB doing to help mitigate those concerns?
It is a complex area, with longstanding cultural attitudes towards construction undermining efforts of the FMB and our members to attract much needed new talent to the industry. What we need to do is keep pushing policymakers in every nation in the UK
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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