FMB NEWS
WITH NORTHERN IRELAND’S £3BN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN DELIVERING THE 10X VISION FOR THE REGION, GREATER INVESTMENT IS NEEDED IN SKILLS PROGRAMMES, SAYS FMB NI DIRECTOR GAVIN McGUIRE… Championing the construction industry
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY APPRENTICESHIPS - CENTRAL
TO NI DELIVERY PLANS For many years, the challenge of
attracting the next generation of skilled tradespeople has been a daunting one. The effects of a recession some 15 years ago were still being felt, and the pipeline of apprentices slowed down. More recently though, it’s been encouraging to see that a number of trades are again becoming more attractive, and figures for those coming through the apprenticeship route seem to be rising in NI. However, education agencies, industry, training networks and statutory bodies need to make sure we retain these men and women and don’t see them lost to other career paths. APPRENTICESHIP WEEK PROVIDES SHOWCASE EVENTS The recent Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week saw some terrific events to provide awareness of courses available across many sectors, including
The FMB NI team championing the construction industry at NI Apprenticeship Week events hosted by SRC in Craigavon (pictured) and Newry.
NI EXECUTIVE RETURNS WITH MUCH TO DO As the NI Executive returns, there is a real need for construction to be seen as a key industry and economic generator for NI PLC. Worth some £3bn a year to the economy here, we need to make sure that as a society we appreciate what a vital role tomorrow’s apprentices will play in what we are able to deliver. The demand for homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects within our society requires skilled men and women to plan and deliver them. We need to see a reset of the Department for the Economy’s 10x Vision, which hopes to embrace innovation and inclusion “to deliver a 10 times better economy with benefits for all our people”. No one would disagree with that vision. However, the construction industry – the delivery tool for much of that innovation and change – seems currently to sit outside of that plan. We hope we can see an investment in skills programmes for the industry, which are necessary to see this plan become reality. This not only delivers projects but develops people to reach their full potential. For more information, visit www.fmb.org.uk
construction. The FMB NI team was delighted to attend and exhibit at some of these, championing the construction industry. Those who enrol in apprenticeships will be able to earn a wage while learning a trade and won’t finish the training with enormous student debt. They’ll be gaining key practical experience, on-the- job learning, and getting inspired by what the job involves. What was so encouraging at the Apprenticeships Week event was the diversity of many people who expressed interest in a construction-related career. The FMB provided an ‘introduction to the construction industry’ experience at Apprenticeship Week events with a pyramid brick building challenge. It was brilliant to see so many young people planning, building and seeing the practical application of maths in a fun environment. The student achieving the fastest time was converted to the idea of bricklaying as a trade. Let’s hope we see that interest develop. As an industry, we need to make sure we speak positively about the opportunities available if we want to see others join us.
FMB’s pyramid brick-building challenge gets underway.
Federation of Master Builders T: +44 (0)28 9446 0416 - E: fmbni@fmb.org.uk www.fmb.org.uk - www.findabuilder.co.uk
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