Addressing the skills gap
This event will present findings from recent market surveys and academic research in this area which highlight current shortages and gaps in skills. It will explore current industry initiatives, research and
trends within the construction skills gap area, and will enable the
sharing of ideas and best practice through presentations and discussion
relating to these initiatives and trends.
Background
A number of recent and ongoing industry market surveys including CITB’s Modelling the Construction Industry Labour Market and RICS UK Construction Market Survey have highlighted the continued gap between the current workforce, projected skills to meet future construction requirements and the types of skills and training currently being developed.
The CITB’s latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) predicts sustained growth from 2016-2020 of 2.5% every year and could require 232,000 new jobs, driven largely by infrastructure and private housing in particular, with new nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point, Somerset, and Wylfa, Anglesey, alongside rail projects such as Crossrail and HS2, and increases in house-building.
There have also been a number of recent initiatives to support apprenticeship in construction and improve engagement with schools and colleges to promote these, with particular emphasis on infrastructure, diversity and inclusion in the construction industry. These initiatives include;
Why attend
Attendees will discuss:
- How can we make the construction industry more attractive to graduates and school leavers and what are the barriers to attracting new talent?
- What are the current models of graduate schemes and apprenticeships and what initiatives are currently challenging and improving these processes?
- What are the future skills (digital, off site manufacturing, sustainability skills) that we need develop through staff training and apprenticeships, and how can we diversify the opportunities for people entering the construction sector?
- How can we ensure supportive and inclusive environments and improve retention rates?
- Can the skills provision adapt to accommodate changing construction environment and technologies?
Programme
13.30 Lunch & registration
14.00 Chairs welcome
Danna Walker, Director of Built By Us
14.10 Overview of research & evidence into skills gaps and action to address skills
mismatches
Alex Birks & Ian Hill, CITB
14.30 Addressing skills gaps in the Construction Sector
Carol Stanfield, UKCES
14.50 Addressing skills shortage through increased diversity and inclusion -
Developing frameworks for diversity in the construction sector
Linda Clarke, Westminster University
15.10 Panel Q&A
15.30 Coffee break
Presentation Series of Industry initiatives
16.00 Contractors' Perspective
Hannah Walker, Mace Group
16.15 Perspectives from the housebuilding sector - challenges & success
Stav Aristokle Hill, Berkeley Group
16.30 Perspective from Infrastructure
Andrew Eldred, Crossrail
16.45 SkillsPlanner: A data-powered solution to the construction
industry skills gap?
Rebecca Lovelace and Chris Dransfield, SkillsPlanner
17.00 Panel Q&A
17.30 Close
When
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
14.00 - 17.30 (Registration & networking lunch 13.30)
Where
CIRIA offices, Griffin Court
15 Long Lane, London
EC1A 9PN
Fees
FREE for CIRIA Core, Associate and Network Members
£75+ VAT for non members
Booking
If you are having problems registering for this event online please contact Patrick Williams on 020 7549 3300 or email [email protected]