The campaign, which will run from 9th – 13th October 2023, will provide a much-needed platform on which to showcase the diverse range of career options available within the scaffolding and access industry. With the recent lack of uptake in roles within construction being well publicised, NSW aims to inspire
The Business Plan which was published on 18th May responds to the estimated demand for an additional 50,000 workers every year and is primarily focused on securing construction’s talent pipeline. CITB will run and support several initiatives to inspire people outside of the industry to choose construction as their career
New research by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has found that over a third (35%) of British employers have not spoken to their staff about their mental health and wellbeing over the past year. A survey conducted on ACAS’s behalf by YouGov, asked businesses in Britain about whether
In November 2020, the Government published its 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. It set out a path to Net Zero by 2050. CO2nstructZero is the construction sector’s response. It sets out how the industry can collectively meet Net Zero and uses the Climate Change Committee’s 6th Carbon budget to establish the priorities
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. This week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme will be ‘build the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The campaign, which will run from 9th – 13th October 2023, will provide a much-needed platform on which to showcase the diverse range of career options available within the scaffolding and access industry. With the recent lack of uptake in roles within construction being well publicised, NSW aims to inspire a new generation, be that school leavers or career changers, to take up a role within scaffolding. NSW promotes scaffolding as a viable and rewarding career option for everyone regardless of age, gender or background but it also provides the opportunity to celebrate some of the great achievements of organisations and individuals already operating within the sector and showcase best practices, innovation and the sheer dedication to quality and competence which already exists. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in NSW – regardless of your current circumstances. The website will host a range of resources to guide and support those looking to take up a role in scaffolding including a blog, useful links and insights into life in scaffolding. For those already working in the industry, NSW is a chance to celebrate your sector – a digital campaign toolkit will be available for download and will comprise a range of digital assets to help you show your support online. After the success of last year, NSW will once again open nominations to find the UK’s ‘Scaffolding Stars’ – an individual that has gone over and above in their role, demonstrating the determination and dedication of the scaffolding sector. Robert Candy, Chief Executive, Scaffolding Association said; “It was fantastic to see the support that last year’s National Scaffolding Week attracted – with organisations and individuals from across the sector coming together to stand in support of a common goal. This year we hope to build on last year’s success and establish NSW as the annual celebration flying the flag for the scaffolding and access industry.” To stay up-to-date with everything happening during National Scaffolding Week, visit: www.nationalscaffoldingweek.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Business Plan which was published on 18th May responds to the estimated demand for an additional 50,000 workers every year and is primarily focused on securing construction’s talent pipeline. CITB will run and support several initiatives to inspire people outside of the industry to choose construction as their career and to upskill and retain existing talent. Skills Demands The plan details how CITB will invest in supporting apprenticeships and building bridges between further education and work to get more learners into construction. It intends to create more accessible routes into construction, focusing on apprenticeships, alongside on-site experiences, and future rollout of occupational traineeships. A total of £60.3m in direct grants will be made available to employers who take on apprentices, supporting the industry to address its current and future need for a skilled workforce. Capacity and Capability of Construction Training Provision £25.9m will be invested in direct training delivery to enable the continuation of core skills training and training provision in niche and at-risk skills through CITB’s National Construction Colleges. The plan will support over 300,000 Health Safety & Environment tests over the coming year, ensuring there is good availability of tests in as many locations as possible, bringing assurance to employers that their workforce can keep themselves and those around them safe. Future Skills Needs The plan describes how CITB will help to address longer-term challenges such as net zero, digitisation and modern methods of construction. £2.1m will be invested into research to better understand construction’s changing environment to help focus CITB’s work on interventions that will have the greatest impact and shape new training and standards development. In a statement, Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said; “While progress has been made, the construction industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, including inflation, rising fuel prices, the pandemic and Brexit, to name a few. In many ways the industry is still experiencing and feeling the impact of these events, which we know has shifted priorities greatly and pushed the demand for skills to the forefront. It’s essential now more than ever that efforts are focused on helping to alleviate those pressures and address the key needs of industry.” Robert Candy, Scaffolding Association Chief Executive, said; “It is welcome news that CITB are investing levy payers’ money into the areas that need it most. Skills shortages and training provision that is fit for purpose and accessible are shared priorities of the Scaffolding Association. Tim is speaking at our conference in September and we look forward to working with him and his team in addressing the skills shortage”. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News
New research by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has found that over a third (35%) of British employers have not spoken to their staff about their mental health and wellbeing over the past year. A survey conducted on ACAS’s behalf by YouGov, asked businesses in Britain about whether they had personally talked to their staff about their mental health in the last 12 months. The poll found that: Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said; “Businesses must do more to support employees with their mental health and wellbeing. It is inevitable that the pandemic will have exacerbated pre existing concerns. It will have also created new mental health and wellbeing issues among individuals and employees. The easiest thing a business can do is to talk with their staff, so it is concerning that over a third have not taken this basic step”. Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show that more than 2,000 construction workers took their own lives in the UK in the decade to 2017 which is more than four times the number of construction workers killed during the course of their duties for the same period. The Scaffolding Association recently established a Health and Wellbeing Committee which aims to help employers in the sector improve the support they provide in relation to mental health and to encourage employees to talk with employers and colleagues. For more information on the latest ACAS research visit: 1 in 3 employers have not talked to staff about their mental health over the past year | Acas
In November 2020, the Government published its 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. It set out a path to Net Zero by 2050. CO2nstructZero is the construction sector’s response. It sets out how the industry can collectively meet Net Zero and uses the Climate Change Committee’s 6th Carbon budget to establish the priorities that frame an action plan of how they will measure their progress and hold themselves to account. Launched in March 2021 by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), CO2nstruct Zero brings together organisations that are demonstrating leadership in relation to carbon reduction, sharing their good practice with others from across the UK construction sector, and providing a set of metrics that enables the sector, quarterly, to collectively measure its progress to Net Zero. Since its launch more than 70 Business Champions have committed to targeted carbon reduction, and to provide details of how they are achieving this to help those from across the wider sector. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said “The Scaffolding Association has always been a strong advocate for moving to a sustainable future. This initiative is a step in the right direction to provide individuals and businesses with scalable practical help, support and the tools they will need to understand and play their part. Climate change is happening. Every industry has a part to play in reducing carbon emissions and meeting net zero by 2050. The construction industry is no exception”. For more information on CO2nstructZero visit CO2nstructZero » Construction Leadership Council
National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. This week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme will be ‘build the future’; reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills. There are over 1,200 virtual and in-person events planned targeted at a range of audiences including stakeholders, businesses, training providers and schools. A full events listing can be found here. Last year, industry leaders from the construction industry called on the government to boost apprenticeships following a 40% drop in people joining industry-relevant schemes, (16,000) compared with the five-year average of (22,500). Statistics for the latest academic year are due for publication later this month. During the course of 2021 the government announced £7m funding to support flexible apprenticeship opportunities so that sectors including construction industries could bid for a share of the fund to support the creation of new flexible apprenticeships, intended to unlock opportunities for people to develop the skills they need to get good jobs. The government also reminded businesses to ensure that apprentices are paid at least the National Minimum Wage. This followed the publication of a report from the Low Pay Commission which found that around 1 in 5 apprentices earn less than their legal entitlement sighting several common errors by businesses including: failure to pay the higher age-related minimum wage rate to those apprentices who are aged 19 and over and have completed the first year of their apprenticeship paying the £4.30 per hour minimum wage apprentice rate before or after an apprenticeship actually starts or finishes not paying for all the time worked by an apprentice – training time is working time Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said “The construction industry is suffering from significant skills shortages and apprenticeships can provide an excellent start for many seeking a career in the industry”. A report published by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) last year found that 37% of the construction workforce are over the age of 50 and estimated that 217,000 workers will need to be recruited into the industry over the next 5 years. Robert Candy added “Attracting a new generation of workers is critical but this is only part of the problem – keeping them is just as important. Paying them correctly, providing training that is relevant and embraces modern innovation and technology and ensuring qualifications gained provide access to work are all vital to the growth and success of apprenticeships across all sectors”. For more information on apprenticeships and to get involved in National Apprenticeship Week click here.
