MEMBER News
SCOTLAND
Towards the end of 2023, Scotland Director Gordon Nelson attended briefings where Skills Development Scotland and the CITB shared construction industry forecasts. “I know our members are frequently evaluating the objectives and goals for their own business – whatever its size or scope,” Nelson says. “From my perspective, the FMB needs to be present when the latest construction industry forecasts are first aired by the experts.” The full CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast for 2024-2028 will have just been published when this edition of Master Builder lands with members. But at the time of writing, the key points for FMB members were: for all roles within the industry, including skilled trades, thousands of extra workers will be needed to meet existing demand; job vacancies in construction will remain high, and will be higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019; and between 2024-2028, positive growth is forecast for housing and non-housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) works. Despite a challenging economic environment, with fragile consumer confidence and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, there is a positive forecast in Scotland for RMI works – a catch-all term for works delivered to existing homes and buildings. To find out more, please get in touch with Gordon Nelson using the details below. What does the future hold for Scotland’s construction industry?
Members of the Scotland board
SCOTLAND
The FMB Scotland Board is made up of members from across Scotland and provides a forum to network with fellow builders. You can find out more about one of our current board members, Stephen O’Neill, on page 34. Your Scotland board represents the interests of fellow members and supports the work of the FMB in Scotland. Trading conditions, supply and commercial concerns, plus skills and training are just some of the topics the board discusses at each quarterly meeting. This year, we will have vacancies on the board. Details of how many and how to apply will be confirmed in the spring. For now though, if you are interested in putting yourself forward to join the FMB Scotland Board, get in touch with Scotland Director Gordon Nelson using the contact details below. Get involved by joining the FMB Scotland Area Board
SCOTLAND
Training and growth Last year near Inverness, the FMB helped to deliver the first Construction Safety and Health Awareness Day since the pandemic as part of the UK-wide Working Well Together (WWT) campaign. Prior to the event, Johnny Walsh from SJ Highland Construction Ltd showed Scotland Director Gordon Nelson around a 19th- century church the company is converting into 9 apartments. Also important to note is that on 1 February, members will join Nelson at a new organic business growth masterclass. One of the objectives of this half-day course in
Edinburgh is to find solutions to the growing pains identified in your business, gather feedback and determine how to run the course elswhere in Scotland. Finally, Scottish Apprenticeship Week begins on 4 March, so plans are in place to showcase the role FMB members play in nurturing new construction talent.
CONTACT Gordon Nelson, FMB Scotland Director
Email: gordonnelson@fmb.org.uk | Call: 07769 687 232 Simone McAllister , Membership Engagement Executive Email: simonemcallister@fmb.org.uk | Call: 02894 460 416
Jonny Walsh
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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