Skills Shortage Highlighted

A failure to tackle a skills shortage in the construction industry will lead to firms missing out on growth opportunities, that's the warning from bosses.

A plan has been published by Skills Development Scotland which sets out how to attract new talent, improve the skills of the current workforce and modernise training opportunities.

Employers, industry bodies and trade assocications have all played a part in the programme for action.

Research shows Fife currently has an acute shortage of skilled employees, especially joiners.

Ed Monaghan, Chief Executive of Mactaggart & Mickel and Chair of Construction Scotland, said: “Scotland’s construction industry cannot rest on its laurels, and as we move into a more positive economic outlook, there is a greater need than ever for new skills and workforce development.

“A failure to act now in a concerted manner will see the industry missing out on growth opportunities, and by engaging with the themes of this action plan, employers and businesses have the potential to help Scotland’s construction sector to become more innovative and dynamic.

“More young people will view construction as an exciting career option, current industry professionals will see a wider range of career opportunities, and businesses will have the skills and flexibility they need to react to the changing economic landscape and to anticipate future demand.”

The Skills Investment Plan identifies four main themes for action: attracting future talent to the industry; improving the skills of the existing workforce; modernising training programmes; and providing the skills needed for future growth.

This involves helping employers ensure they have access to a supply of core construction skills and also helping to foster the development of new skills such as off-site construction, building information modelling and low-carbon construction.

John McClelland CBE, Chair of SDS, said: “Scotland’s construction firms faced a huge task weathering the economic downturn in recent years, and the ones which managed it best were those that could innovate and adapt to changing conditions.

“The skills shortages which many firms are now experiencing are a result of that downturn, and this has the potential to be a barrier to future growth.

“The Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Construction Sector offers businesses of all sizes the opportunity to develop their workforce in a way which will boost their competitiveness and flexibility, not only in the short-term, but in the long-term as new building practices and technologies are adopted.”

The plan was also welcomed by Roseanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training.

Ms Cunningham said: “Construction has a huge role to play in Scotland’s economic future. It’s crucial that public and private sector partners work together to maximise the opportunities that this innovative and dynamic industry can offer to our young men and women both now and in the years to come.

“The industry-led Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s construction sector, published today by Skills Development Scotland, provides a strong framework for aligning public and private sector investment in skills.

“From looking ahead to how it will attract and retain people to work in the construction industry, including removing barriers to the recruitment of traditionally under-represented groups, to looking at how it can modernise to meet future needs, this plan shows an industry that is ready to put in some hard work to ensure its future growth.”

The Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Construction Sector is being launched at the Scottish Building Federation’s Annual Conference in Glasgow on Friday.

A recent report from the federation found that confidence in the industry was improving, but that skills shortages existed in a number of key trades and managerial positions.

Managing Director Vaughan Hart said: “Employers in the Scottish construction sector are increasingly confident about the industry’s future prospects and there are promising signs of recovery, but the industry has shed many thousands of jobs since the recession began and rates of recruitment remain far below pre-recession levels.