ExEcutivE REPORt
Building the Industry of the Future
With more people leaving the construction sector than joining it, the skills gap is ever-widening. CPA Chief Executive Kevin Minton considers the options.
T
he skills shortage in the construction industry is well documented. One of the
primary reasons for the skills gap in the construction plant sector is an ageing workforce. As workers reach retirement age, fewer people are entering the industry to replace them.
At the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA), we are aware that many of our members have had hard to fill vacancies across a range of different occupations and plant specialisms. Recruitment often presents more of a challenge than training or retaining staff.
Whilst construction vacancies are increasing due to major projects such as HS2, the number of applications per vacancy is often shrinking. Positions take longer to fill, and salary expectations are higher.
The Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecasts an annual recruitment rate of around 3.5% for Plant Operatives over the next four years. With over 250,000 Plant Operatives in the UK, this means that the sector would need to recruit almost 9,000 new workers each year to meet demand.
Changing Perceptions So what is being done to tackle the skills
shortage in our sector? One of the key challenges is making people – young and old – aware of the wealth of job opportunities and career paths available in the industry. Changing perceptions and presenting the sector as a desirable one is an important part of tackling the competition from other attractive industry sectors.
Collaboration is key in working with local communities to attract people to the sector. Careers events are an important channel and CPA has linked up with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to support the Construction Jobs Fair, which is taking place at Edgbaston Stadium on 6th October 2022 as part of National Construction Week.
Importance of Apprenticeships Apprenticeships are a vital part of our sector and there are now over 900 apprentices across construction plant-based occupations. Over the past six years, apprenticeships have evolved significantly with Trailblazer ‘standards’ apprenticeships emerging in 2014 in England. Trailblazer apprenticeships firmly put employers in the driving seat and are developed by employer- led Trailblazer groups that conform to criteria set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
RECRUITMENT General Manager Role
An independent tool hire/sales company in the South Wales area is looking for a General Manager to join an established
and highly successful team. Previous management experience within a plant & tool hire company is preferred.
To apply for this position, please send your details to
Chris Moore, who will then forward them to the hire company.
c.moore@
hgluk.com Executive Hire News
At CPA, one of our roles is providing a project management and technical support service to employer-led Trailblazer groups to help get apprenticeships through to fruition. It has been a long and
arduous process but Trailblazers apprenticeships are now available for lifting technicians, plant operatives, plant mechanics and hire controllers. We’ve recently started work on developing an apprenticeship for plant maintenance technicians at level 3.
Chief Executive, Kevin Minton.
The construction plant industry offers careers for life and the industry is becoming more diverse and inclusive. More females are joining the industry in traditionally male- dominated roles such as plant operatives, and more ethnic minorities are joining the sector. It’s positive to see that official figures for plant-based apprenticeships are looking much stronger than originally anticipated.
Every year CPA offers an awards programme called ‘Stars of the Future’ that is specifically designed for apprentices and trainees. This allows employers to reward and recognise their future talent, and it illustrates the value of apprenticeships and training. It is a showcase for new talent, and provides real evidence of increasing diversity in the sector.
Building the Industry of the Future Building and developing the industry of the future means the construction plant sector accessing the skills and talent it needs, especially as construction enters a new age of innovation and growth. At CPA, we’ve worked with our members to develop the CPA Skills and Employment Tool Kit which is available on the CPA website at
www.cpa.uk.net. We’re also running a skills webinar on 22nd September for our members. n
22 Executive Hire News - September 2022
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