In our next blog, Past Master Brian Blanchard and Chairman of the Education & Training Committee discusses the value of apprenticeships and why there has never been a better time for merchants and their suppliers to bring fresh new talent into the industry.
You can also catch this article in Builders Merchants News – here – March issue page 17.
Apprenticeships – a smart solution for merchants
Our #BuildACareerWithoutLimits campaign sets out to improve awareness and understanding of the building materials sector and the exciting career opportunities it offers to young people. With an increasing skills shortage and an ageing workforce it’s more important than ever that collectively we focus on attracting and retaining young talent, and help make construction and building materials supply a sector of choice.
According to figures from the Construction Leadership Council’s new ‘Industry Skills Plan’ to Government, the UK construction industry employs 2.7m people. However, 32% are over 50 and only 10% are under 25. Moreover, there is a 210,000+ recruitment requirement between 2021–2025.
Encouraging young people into our industry is essential for future growth and to build the range of skills we need now, and for the future. Reinforcing all the great reasons for working in our sector is important, but so is demonstrating how their learning and development is supported by quality training programmes that help them achieve their potential. Ultimately, we want those joining, re-joining or switching to our industry to stay and progress within it, and spread the word.
For some merchants and suppliers, taking on youngsters is engrained in the company ethos and good systems are in place to inspire and help new starters grow in their roles. But for others, there is not the same level of appreciation or understanding of the various study programmes, or their benefits, such as apprenticeships. In fact, there are probably still too many misconceptions about taking on apprentices which discourage businesses.
Busting apprenticeship myths
While February’s National Apprenticeship Week was filled with many glowing recommendations from merchants and suppliers on the benefits of apprentices, not all businesses may fully understand what an apprenticeship is, how to recruit an apprentice or the commitment involved to make it work for both parties. Others may perceive apprenticeships as costly, ineffective or too complicated, particularly smaller companies, who may lack the resources to facilitate, drive or manage apprenticeships internally.
There is also a stigma associated with apprenticeships which has been hard to shake off – primarily the notion that apprentices are young people who weren’t clever enough for college or university, so had to learn a trade. In the building and construction industry in particular, apprentices are portrayed as only good for making the tea or doing the grunt work. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
One of our earlier #BuildACareerWithoutLimits columns for Builders’ Merchant News featured a case study on Marketing Apprentice, Hannah Taylor. She wanted to start a career in marketing, and joined the BMF. After completing her programme of study, her position was confirmed as a full-time marketing assistant and her role continued to develop. Hannah is now Acting Marketing Manager.
Apprenticeships offer a golden opportunity for young people to study and earn money while getting hands-on work experience. These enthusiastic young people quickly become an asset to your business, to help drive future growth and expansion.
Now is the time for action
There is a lot of focus on the construction industry and its supply chain at the moment, thanks to the pandemic. During lockdowns it was one of few industries which remained open, adapting quickly to secure jobs and livelihoods for the thousands of people who depend on us. And who could forget the prime minister’s Build Build Build promise! For the first time, the Government acknowledged the importance of construction to the wider UK economy. For young people and those made redundant in other industries by COVID-19, our sector is now being seen as a safe and promising career move.
Frankly, the good PR couldn’t have come at a better time, as getting new talent in – and keeping the skills we have – is tough going. A recent report compiled by Search Consultancy revealed that 83% of businesses in the construction industry are feeling the strain of a lack of skilled workers. Brexit, a shortage of qualified candidates and not being able to retain good staff were all cited as contributing factors. The skills shortage has a knock-on effect on the standard of work we as an industry can deliver and also our ability to fulfil our commitments to supply chain partners.
So, could apprenticeships be the answer to our skills and recruitment issues? The industry seems to affirm it. In the same Search Consultancy report, 22% of respondents said a lack of training opportunities was a concern and one in five felt that insufficient funding was also playing a part in the skills shortage. We believe, like many, that properly funded and executed ‘on-the-job’ training for young people could alleviate many of the big skills problems we are facing. The CLC’s Industry Skills Plan highlights the need to deliver 25,000 new apprenticeships every year.
Ready to take the plunge?
Apprenticeship programmes are an amazing opportunity for builders’ merchants and suppliers to invest in the future of their business, with help and support available to ensure it works for everyone. The Builders Merchants Federation, for example, provide a range of training and support services, including helping members make the most of the reformed Apprenticeship Levy transfer system.
