Around 12% of a construction takes place offsite, which means there is a need for greater training and qualifications so that the workforce can keep up with the growth of offsite work. The construction industry is one of the most important sectors to the UK economy and its ever-changing character has to be well addressed by the industry.

The results of the ‘Faster, Smarter, More Efficient Building Skills for Offsite Construction’ report show that 42% of the employers in the construction sector expect to see offsite methods in five years’ time. In regards to the offsite construction materials and products, 100% said they expected an increase in the use of precast concrete panels and 91% expected a rise in the use of precast concrete frame.

Mark Farmer, CEO and Founding Director of Cast and the author of ‘Modernise or Die’, said that there has never been a greater urgency for modernisation. “Any strategic shift towards pre-manufacturing and offsite construction creates an immediate requirement to define our future skills needs through collaboration between industry, educators, training providers and government,” added him.

The requirement for appropriate training and qualifications is rising with the growth of offsite work because of its mixture between manufacturing, engineering, and construction. New entrants need training in a range of new skills, while the existing workforce needs upskilling.

In order to find out more about how this can be achieved, Ben Lever will be speaking alongside Jonathan Lock, Director at Design4Structures, at Explore Offsite Outlooks. The one-day conference and exhibition will be taking place on the 28th of February and will create a platform for clients and their professional advisers, contractors and project managers and offsite technology suppliers to network with industry experts and discuss the latest developments in digital construction for the offsite sector.

Tickets cost £125 plus VAT and it includes entry to the conference and exhibition, lunch, and refreshments.