Councillors must start working with local builders and developers to make better use of the existing town centre buildings, advised the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Following the recent announcement of Budget 2018, FMB CEO Brian Berry was speaking on the development of space above shops. “It is important that
The latest alarming revelations from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) indicate that the amount of genuine building skills in the construction employee sector is getting worse as time goes by. The federal group found that the average British bricklayer is not the only one to suffer in the reduction
Good news for those looking to pursue apprenticeships in the construction industry. Despite already being heralded the “way forward” for construction companies looking to overcome skill shortages within the industry, new figures released by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) highlight how the opportunity truly does go both ways. The
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Councillors must start working with local builders and developers to make better use of the existing town centre buildings, advised the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Following the recent announcement of Budget 2018, FMB CEO Brian Berry was speaking on the development of space above shops. “It is important that the Chancellor has recognised the importance of investing in our high streets. He has announced a £675 million Future High Streets Fund to allow councils to rejuvenate town centres. It is estimated that as many as 300,000 to 400,000 new homes alone could be created by making use of empty spaces above shops on our high streets. This is space just waiting to be turned into residential accommodation. There is a pressing need to re-invent many of our town centres in light of changing patterns of retail and leisure. The Government should be applauded for its ambition to safeguard the life of our high streets,” said Brian Berry. “A recent report titled Homes on our High Streets from the FMB puts councils at the heart of the solution and suggests some practical ways for them to facilitate the development of wasted space above shops. Retail will always be an important element of vibrant high streets, but there is plenty we can do on a small scale to help convert unused and under-used space in to attractive residential units. This will both boost the supply of new homes and help breathe new life back into our high streets. What we must avoid is perfectly good space lying empty and achieving nothing in terms of boosting the local economy or housing individuals,” he added. The FMB CEO has also welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement of £1 billion to guarantee capacity to support lending to the SME housebuilding sector. “Many small-scale house builders continue to experience real difficulty in accessing the finance they need to build homes, and it is often the smallest scale builders that experience the greatest problems. This new funding will help to speed up the delivery of homes and lead to a more diverse and resilient housing supply,” Berry concluded.
The latest alarming revelations from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) indicate that the amount of genuine building skills in the construction employee sector is getting worse as time goes by. The federal group found that the average British bricklayer is not the only one to suffer in the reduction of skills crisis that has plagued the building and construction industry. For example, the findings of the FMB indicate that 46 per cent of site managers and construction officials are finding it harder and harder to employ professionals to work on roofs. To make this trend worse, figures have shown that the level of plastering and electrical workers are lower than they have ever been in the last four years. Furthermore, the fact that there are less and less skilled workers operating in the construction industry in Britain is surely a sign that Theresa May and the government need to do something fast to rectify the situation before Britain runs out of skilled workers altogether. Mister Brian Berry, CE of the Federation of Master Builders, explains that the skills set in construction has significantly decreased in the past few years and is an issue that needs to be addressed. A lack of apprenticeships and the growing costs of training and materials is an alarming sign that many construction firms are in danger of losing many of their assets and acquisitions over the years, and Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will surely equally have an impact on the situation of building and construction in the country. The current fluctuations of the English Pound are also a worry for manufacturers in the country, and trade relations with the European Union will need be certified by the government so that the FMB does not have to report any more bad news for the construction industry. There is hope however that 2017 will be a wake-up call for the building industry to seek the government’s help to safeguard its future.
Good news for those looking to pursue apprenticeships in the construction industry. Despite already being heralded the “way forward” for construction companies looking to overcome skill shortages within the industry, new figures released by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) highlight how the opportunity truly does go both ways. The figures, which form part of research undertaken by the federation for National Apprenticeship Week, showcase that almost 60% of small and medium enterprise owners actually started their career as an apprentice. Even more startling, it was also shown that over 50% of such owners actually managed to break off and start up their construction firm within a mere seven years of completing their apprenticeship; a true builder to business-owner transformation. Not only does this highlight the opportunities available to would-be apprentices should they give it their all, but also provides a welcomed spotlight on how success within the construction industry can be achieved by just about anyone, should they have the willpower and know-how. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of FMB even went as far as to say: “The construction industry is ideally suited to a young person with heaps of ambition and an entrepreneurial spirit.” Nodding to the way in which apprenticeships aren’t necessarily how often perceived, as low entry level into the industry, but actually serve as a springboard for those with the determination to succeed, effectively removing key boundaries to enter into a construction career and allowing such individuals to show their talents. And even for those not specifically looking to become their own boss, Brian Berry explains that, even for those staying in the industry the opportunities are grand, with a bricklayer of just five years’ experience traditionally earning up to £31,000 in many areas of the country, and up to £52,000 in the London area. Perhaps now, both organisation and individual may slowly begin to recognise the opportunities available through apprenticeships in comparison to those from university studies.
