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Skills Shortages

Timothy East
The construction industry (namely services) is suffering from skills shortages without an apparent solution. There has been a flurry of press activity but not much action. How does the industry make itself more attractive to the younger generation? There are short training courses offered but these are not the solution and there are many mature people entering the industry on the promise of a quick buck. The majority of these (that I have encountered) have little passion for the industry and the quality of work can be quite poor. We don't want to end up in a situation whereby these guys are training the next generation.

 

I think that the apprentice schemes should be made easier for SME's to take part in. Many are small concerns and cannot commit to the burden. However, some of these owner operators have so much experience to offer and it's a shame to let the knowledge pass by. Perhaps the 'apprentice' could be in charge of his/her own portfolio and it to be made easier for them to jump between companies to gain their experience? The colleges could hold a register of approved organisations so that the system is not abused by people wanting cheap labour....


I have met youngsters that have been able to attend and pass the first year of college but unable to progress further because they cannot find companies interested in taking them on. How can this be so with the skills crisis? I presume the bureaucracy is putting off the SME's.


I would guess that other industries have similar issues?
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    The solutions proposed to juvenile delinquency in my youth included “bring back the birch” (a form corporal punishment) and “bring back national service”. With members of the older generation chuntering on about long haired layabouts, beatniks etc.  Many of these youngsters ended up being highly successful in life, but not necessarily in “square middle-class” chartered professions. Richard Branson left school at 16 although he was relatively posh and able to accumulate “social capital”.  


    I would be warm to the idea of some form of National Service, although it doesn’t have to be militaristic. However if young people lack motivation, then it is the responsibility of the older generation to fix this, not just to whinge. I remember reading this book  some decades ago https://www.lrb.co.uk/v05/n19/dg-wright/great-tradition  . Although my sympathies are more Billy (William Ambrose) Wright than D G Wright the reviewer


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    The solutions proposed to juvenile delinquency in my youth included “bring back the birch” (a form corporal punishment) and “bring back national service”. With members of the older generation chuntering on about long haired layabouts, beatniks etc.  Many of these youngsters ended up being highly successful in life, but not necessarily in “square middle-class” chartered professions. Richard Branson left school at 16 although he was relatively posh and able to accumulate “social capital”.  


    I would be warm to the idea of some form of National Service, although it doesn’t have to be militaristic. However if young people lack motivation, then it is the responsibility of the older generation to fix this, not just to whinge. I remember reading this book  some decades ago https://www.lrb.co.uk/v05/n19/dg-wright/great-tradition  . Although my sympathies are more Billy (William Ambrose) Wright than D G Wright the reviewer


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