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Dr Tony Lloyd CEO AD
‘Think Differ Understanding the Climate Michaela Wain, Design and Build UK Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS) Matthew Burrows, Self Build Heroes Neil Horner, P34B Judi Greenwood, Regeneration Brainery Luke Rumney, ArchiPhonic Helen Hesketh, Hesketh Jones Construction PropCon Social North West – Sector Skills The PropCon Social North West series - a joint venture between Hesketh Jones Construction and ArchiPhonic Architectural Design - addressed the most pressing challenges currently facing the property and construction sectors, from mental health to doing business in the post-pandemic world. However, no challenge is more prescient than the sector’s growing skills shortage. It is estimated that the industry needs 1 in 5 school leavers to join it to fill skills gaps. The demand is there, yet there is still a shortage. The two-hour discussion highlighted several ways that could be tackled, based on the experience of the industry leading panel.
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Kathryn from BESS highlighted the unique and challenging environment presented by the post pandemic world, stating: “About 85% of young people don’t believe their dream career is an option, they feel like that’s all been taken away. ”She acknowledged that the sector is not the only one fighting to attract talent and that it also has the challenge of competing with schools’ primary focus of helping students to catch up. She added: “There won’t be time for fluffy, lovely activities, everything you do with schools has got to evidence how you are helping their students to catch up.”
Creating Pathways Judi from Regeneration Brainery highlighted the issue of industry only recruiting from within and failing to access the talent pool in schools: “We are seeing gaps and lack of understanding in schools and finding ways that we can understand what young people really need create those pathways [into the industry].” Neil from P34B challenged the tendency of those in construction to just look forward at their own career. “What I’ve done with P34B is effectively stopped and said, if our industry is a family – and I feel like it is – how can we work together and help the next generation to come through?” Focusing on passion, perseverance and belief, and considering what young people actually need, P34B is instilling that in people and giving them opportunity in the industry.
Diversity Michaela addressed the issue of diversity by targeting young people – particularly women - from primary school age, in academic and non-academic settings, stating that the opportunity has often
Success is based on ou competencies neede Success in business and in the succ been missed if left until university determinant level.
She also highlighted the importance of for investing in The case highlighting the range of opportunities leading for technology indu women in the sector, saying: “Yourobotics, might bioscience, eng well start off a bricklayer and endmindset up as aof what is po project manager” as well as highlighting workforce for almost th the financial opportunities of learning a imperative. trade, versus other common career options We have for decades co such as hairdressing apprenticeships. ability. Yet, - whether yo that context of place, cu Untapped Resources dyslexia or ADHD (or bo Matthew, a military veteran and founder Relevantofto every busin Self Build Heroes, highlighted the existing yet untapped talent pool of veterans - 15,000 people leave the military each year - with the ability and work ethic to fill many of the current skills gaps, offering a can-do attitude, motivation, good timekeeping and determination to succeed, to flexibility, good communication and teamwork in abundance. Matthew said: “Companies miss the fact that they have 80% of what you want in a dream employee, you’ve just got to put the effort in to get the extra 20%.”
What can the industry do?
After a lengthy discussion, key actions for the industry that emerged were better The ADHD Foundation Neu it enjoys an international r collaboration to create a vetted and derives from traded servic engaged talent pool, creating pathways brings over 1 million pound from primary school upwards, the willingness brands such as Heathrow A of SMEs and not just large companies to Flordis Switzerland, Withe take on apprenticeships, awareness of and umbrellas in Brighton, E utilisation of other existing talent pools such this not simply as CSR – bu of umbrellas across s as veterans and a commitment toposts making the working environment is welcoming and 2021 will see the launch o appealing to women, from facilities and leaving site the care sy people culture to visible role models. employment. We are colla
start-up, agencies such as P
To watch the full video, visit the who will link these young p to promote a new inv www.archiphonic.co.uk insightsaims page.
Dynamic partnerships betw any innovative, business
