TACKLING THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN HOUSEBUILDING
St. Modwen Homes has announced its support for two new projects launched by the Home Building Skills Partnership that look to tackle the current skills shortage within the housebuilding industry.
Last week, it was announced that the two projects would receive funding from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). The projects include fast tracking new entrants from college diploma courses to the trades of bricklayer and plasterer, and supporting the development of skills in existing supply chain contractor workforce. Both projects are designed to increase the number of skilled trade-workers within the industry; something that is of huge concern to St. Modwen Homes.
Dave Smith, Managing Director at St. Modwen Homes, said: “Housebuilding, and indeed construction in general, is predominantly an ageing industry with very low levels of diversity. There is a skills gap on a technical, professional and trade level and this is only going to get worse as retirement looms for a high proportion of the industry’s workforce.
“I fully support the two projects that the Home Building Skills Partnership is undertaking and believe that the opportunity of fast-tracking your career will help to encourage more people into the industry; particularly areas such as bricklaying and plastering where demand for employees is exceptionally high. Additionally, developing the skills of those already working within construction will help combat the shortages that we’re currently experiencing.”
Under the ‘development of skills’ project, which will run between June 2017 and June 2019, St. Modwen Homes will establish a collaborative approach with its sub-contractors to provide on-the-job training for the existing site team. The training will focus on quality and innovation, leadership and health and safety.
Additionally, St. Modwen Homes will work with the Home Building Skills Partnership to provide opportunities for students currently undertaking diploma courses in the trades of bricklaying and plastering.
This programme is further boosted by St. Modwen Homes’ own initiatives to help combat the skills shortage, including its trainee scheme that currently equates to 8% of the staff with a view to targeting 10% by the year end across sales, construction, commercial and finance. Additionally, the housebuilder is working with multiple schools and colleges to promote the careers available within the industry whilst allowing their sites to be learning tools and work experience for students.
St. Modwen Homes is the housebuilding brand of St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist. Currently celebrating its fifth anniversary, the housebuilder has experienced rapid growth and now has 15 live sites located across England and Wales.
Additionally, St. Modwen Homes has won multiple national awards for its house designs and considerate and quality approach to housebuilding.
Further information can be found at www.stmodwenhomes.co.uk, on Twitter, Instagram and on the individual development’s Facebook pages.
