SPECIAL FEATURE
Part1 Introducing.. Skills Bootcamps
David Rambridge (DRBi Ltd) & Simon Goddard (Sentina Training and Consultancy Ltd) talk to us about Skills Bootcamps in partnership with Sysco Business Skills Academy
The recent AMP 8 contract awards have unmistakably indicated a substantial increase in recruitment activity needed within our industry. This surge signals an era where, as challenging as it has already been to discover and attract qualified candidates, the task at hand is set to become even more daunting. With an influx of job openings anticipated on the horizon and a corresponding shortage of trained professionals equipped to meet the burgeoning demand, we're bracing for a scenario that could intensify the competition for top talent dramatically.
Contractors of all sizes, from small to large, are facing challenges in hiring and keeping engineers. We must think of new ways to find engaged and willing trainees as well as experienced engineers to fill the mass of vacancies coming. In this article we are exploring a promising new government backed source for employers that has already been yielding positive outcomes since October 2023.
What is the recruitment challenge in the industry?
Recruiting drainage operatives in the UK can be challenging for several reasons:
1. Specialised Skills: The job requires specific skills and knowledge about drainage systems, which not everyone has. This narrows down the pool of potential candidates.
2. Physical Demands: It's a physically demanding role that involves working in all weather conditions, which can deter some job seekers.
3. Perception of the Job: Drainage work might be seen as less appealing compared to other trades, due to the nature of the work and the environments operatives must work in.
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4. Training and Certification: Candidates need proper training and certifications to comply with safety regulations, which can be a barrier to entry.
5. Competition from Other Industries: With the rise of other sectors like tech offering attractive career paths, fewer people may be considering trade jobs like drainage.
6. Progression: As experienced engineers are promoted to different roles, the need for trainees to backfill the vacant roles left are increased.
7. Aging Workforce: As experienced operatives retire, there may not be enough new workers entering the field to replace them.
8. The merry go round: Engineers move around companies a lot seeking better pay and conditions, in a busy marketplace more jobs are available making retention even harder.
9. Immigration Policies: Changes in immigration policies can impact the availability of skilled labour from abroad.
10. Demand : UK Water companies have stepped up their investments in AMP 8, creating a higher demand for drainage operatives nationwide. As contractors compete for workers from the same talent pool, we must find significantly more candidates.
To address these challenges, companies often need to invest in training, offer competitive salaries, and improve the image of the drainage industry to attract new talent, all of these are significant costs.
While expenses differ from one business to another, it's estimated that in our industry, the average cost to recruit, hire, onboard, and train a new employee can exceed £15k. This is a substantial sum,
| November 2024 |
www.draintraderltd.com
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