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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 link is interesting. We can't all work behind a desk though. Somebody has to go out in the field, sometimes literally, and repair overhead power lines or repair damaged rail tracks in the cold and rain. So hands on maintenance workers often are male, muddy and sweaty at work, this does not preclude females from undertaking the same work if they wish. Many maintenance people are highly skilled, just look at B.T. engineers sorting out hundreds of different coloured wires in a hole in the pavement. Not glamorous but still skilled essential work. I visited a university today that has a student number or 14,000. They can't all be dry warm engineers in a lovely office sitting in front of a computer. Many will be out in the field working and getting muddy. So what? It is no disgrace to get dirty at work. Look at oil rig off shore workers. Highly skilled and doing a very dangerous job, and it ain't clean. Where there's muck there's brass as the Yorkshiremen say. Multi skilling is the key to future employment security. The more we can do the more we will be needed.


    C.
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  • 0
    The link is interesting. We can't all work behind a desk though. Somebody has to go out in the field, sometimes literally, and repair overhead power lines or repair damaged rail tracks in the cold and rain. So hands on maintenance workers often are male, muddy and sweaty at work, this does not preclude females from undertaking the same work if they wish. Many maintenance people are highly skilled, just look at B.T. engineers sorting out hundreds of different coloured wires in a hole in the pavement. Not glamorous but still skilled essential work. I visited a university today that has a student number or 14,000. They can't all be dry warm engineers in a lovely office sitting in front of a computer. Many will be out in the field working and getting muddy. So what? It is no disgrace to get dirty at work. Look at oil rig off shore workers. Highly skilled and doing a very dangerous job, and it ain't clean. Where there's muck there's brass as the Yorkshiremen say. Multi skilling is the key to future employment security. The more we can do the more we will be needed.


    C.
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