The UK construction industry has a recruitment crisis of a scale rarely seen before. Stephen Rankin, managing director of Vantage & Co, the Federation of Master Builders Master Builder of the Year, says the industry itself must do more to encourage new talent to join its ranks – and then work even harder to develop and grow them.
You don’t need me to tell you how hard it is to find skilled labour in the UK construction sector. The latest figures from the Construction Industry Training Board make pretty challenging reading.
The CITB says there were an average of 38,000 vacancies advertised in the industry every month of last year – and 31% of employers say finding staff with the right skills to fill the shortages is their number one challenge.
Factor in the fact that the CITB says an extra 251,500 construction workers are needed over the next five years – and that last year saw a net reduction in the workforce – and it’s clear that things need to change pretty quickly if the sector is to meet the housing, commercial development and infrastructure demands being made of it.
It would be easy to assume this is all someone else’s problem to deal with.
Of course, the last government should have been doing more to prioritise construction skills training, sort out the issues with the apprenticeship scheme and cut back some of the legislation which stands in the way of recruitment. It’ll be interesting to see which direction the Labour government will go in to address the challenge.
Our partners in education and training could do more to help sell the benefits of a career in the modern world of construction and the huge range of opportunities it can bring.
And society in general could do with changing its perception of our sector and recognising the huge social, economic and environmental benefits that a thriving industry can bring.
But if we’re really serious about tackling this crisis, the industry must start closer to home.
I started out my working life as a hod carrier and labourer on a building site. But carpentry was my real love and I focused on building up my skills over the following years. As I became more successful, I worked as an assistant site manager before setting up Vantage in 2017 and carving out something of a niche for high-end new build and renovation work.
As someone who has climbed the ranks from a humble site labourer to the helm of one of Britain’s leading construction firms, I think I have a pretty good insight into all aspects of the industry.
That’s why I believe we quickly need to get our own house in order to overcome this crisis.
How many youngsters starting out today can envisage a career path like mine? How many employers are investing in training and skills development to upskill and develop both existing and new talent? How many actively sell the broader picture of our industry as providing the public space, infrastructure and homes we need to create a healthier, wealthier and happier society?
The construction industry is often overlooked for its potential career opportunities – but could do a lot more to promote them and show the wealth of possibilities for individuals seeking fulfilling and lucrative careers. From civil engineering to project management, the breadth of roles available within the construction sector is vast and diverse.
At Vantage we firmly believe in nurturing talent and providing pathways for career growth. Our success as a company is intrinsically linked to the skills and dedication of our workforce. We are committed to investing in training programmes, and ongoing professional development initiatives to cultivate the next generation of construction professionals.
There’s a lot more to a career in construction than just job stability; it provides a platform for individuals to leave a lasting impact on the built environment, shaping communities and leaving a legacy for future generations.
I am inspired by the countless success stories of individuals who have forged their paths to success within our industry. From running their own successful businesses to leading prominent firms in plumbing, electrical, bricklaying and beyond, these individuals exemplify the limitless possibilities that exist within our industry.
It’s why Vantage remains committed to championing the next generation of construction professionals and empowering them to realise their full potential.
To anyone considering a career in construction, I say this: seize the opportunities before you, embrace the challenges with courage and determination, and never underestimate the transformative power of hard work and perseverance.
To the industry itself I say this: We are great at building things. Now we need to focus just as hard on building careers and ambition among our workforce.
