10 minute read
Members News
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.
Understanding the Climate
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 been missed if left until university level. She also highlighted the importance of highlighting the range of opportunities for women in the sector, saying: “You might well start off a bricklayer and end up as a project manager” as well as highlighting the financial opportunities of learning a trade, versus other common career options such as hairdressing apprenticeships.
Article – Merseyside Chamber of Commerce. Monday 12 Dr Tony Lloyd CEO ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity ‘Think Differently
Success is based on our mind’s ability to adapt to the requirements of our environment and competencies needed to adapt our environment to suit our changing needs. Success in business and enterprise therefore demands that we ‘ determinant in the success of the major growth industrie The case for investing in neurodiversity in business, is now well established. leading technology industries have transformed not only our culture, but also robotics, bioscience, engineering and web mindset of what is possible. These major growth industries have been actively recruiting a neurodiverse workforce for almost three decades, recru imperative. We have for decades considered such different minds ability. Yet, - whether you are viewed as disabled or talented, depen Untapped Resources that context of place, culture, period in history. Matthew, a military veteran and founder of dyslexia or ADHD (or both Relevant to every business is that 1 in 5 of your customers are neurodiverse. 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 Neurodiversity collaboration to create a vetted and it enjoys an international reputation engaged talent pool, creating pathways derives from traded services. Sales of training across all sectors from primary school upwards, the willingness brings over 1 million pounds per year into the city. Its neurodiversity umbrella project has now been adopted by of SMEs and not just large companies to brands such as Heathrow Airport, Rolls Royce, Admiral Insurance Group, Mas Flordis Switzerland, Witherslack take on apprenticeships, awareness and of umbrellas in Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester, Crewe, Manchester, utilisation of other existing talent pools such this not simply as CSR – but branding opportunities that benefit from over 40 million media hits every year as the frenzy of as veterans and a commitment to making posts of umbrellas across social media the working environment is welcoming and 2021 will see the launch of a new employability programme appealing to women, from facilities and site people leaving the care system, to ensure they make a successful transition from school to further education training and culture to visible role models. employment. We are collaborating start-up, agencies such as Positive Futures Charity, local universities, City To watch the full video, visit the who will link these young people with train www.archiphonic.co.uk insights page.aims to promote a new invigorated culture of corporate and social responsibility in Merseyside. Dynamic partnerships between third sector organisations and businesses add value any innovative, business workforce. This CSR has enabled the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity to become a
Differently’.
Success is based on our mind’s ability to adapt to the requirements of our environment and developing the competencies needed to adapt our environment to suit our changing needs. Success in business and enterprise therefore demands that we ‘Think Differently’. This mantra has been the key determinant in the success of the major growth industries of the 21st century so far. Think DifferentlyThe case for investing in neurodiversity in business, is now well established. Apple, Sony, Google, Microsoft, and leading technology industries have transformed not only our culture, but also our economy. Together with the
Success is based on our mind’s ability to adapt to the requirements botics, bioscience, engineering and web-based media, industry is increasingly driving the changes and the very of our environment and developing the competencies needed to mindset of what is possible. These major growth industries have been actively recruiting a neurodiverse adapt our environment to suit our changing needs.workforce for almost three decades, recruiting a workforce that for whom ‘thinking differently’ is a genetic We have for decades considered such different minds – in a school classroom context, as ‘disabled’, or low whether you are viewed as disabled or talented, depends on the context you find yourself – be that context of place, culture, period in history. Research suggests that over 35% of entrepreneurs have either or both). University graduates with ADHD are twice as likely to start their own business. Relevant to every business is that 1 in 5 of your customers are neurodiverse.
Success in business and enterprise therefore demands that we ‘Think Differently’. This mantra has been the key determinant in the success of the major growth industries of the 21st century so far. The case for investing in neurodiversity in business, is now well established. Apple, Sony, Google, Microsoft, and leading technology industries have transformed not only our culture, but also our economy. Together with the robotics, bioscience, engineering and web-based media, industry is increasingly driving the changes and the very mindset of what is possible. These major growth industries have been actively recruiting a neurodiverse workforce for almost three decades, recruiting a workforce that for whom ‘thinking differently’ is a genetic imperative.
We have for decades considered such different minds – in a school classroom context, as ‘disabled’, or low ability. Yet, - whether you are viewed as disabled or talented, depends on the context you find yourself – be that context of place, culture, period in history. Research suggests that over 35% of entrepreneurs have either dyslexia or ADHD (or both). University graduates with ADHD are twice as likely to start their own business. Relevant to every business is that 1 in 5 of your customers are neurodiverse. The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Liverpool Charity that has been a pioneer in the UK neurodiversity movement and why it enjoys an international reputation for its health, education, and training services. Over 80% of the Foundation’s revenue derives from traded services. Sales of training across all sectors in the UK and abroad generates non statutory revenue that brings over 1 million pounds per year into the city. Its neurodiversity umbrella project has now been adopted by well-known brands such as Heathrow Airport, Rolls Royce, Admiral Insurance Group, Mastercard, Shaftesbury Estates Plc London, Soho Flordis Switzerland, Witherslack Group, and consortia of businesses, who in 2022 are funding the brightly coloured canopies of umbrellas in Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester, Crewe, Manchester, Huddersfield, and Gloucester. Businesses see this not simply as CSR – but branding opportunities that benefit from over 40 million media hits every year as the frenzy of posts of umbrellas across social media promote those business brand values. 2021 will see the launch of a new employability programme in Liverpool that is designed for creative neurodiverse young people leaving the care system, to ensure they make a successful transition from school to further education training and employment. We are collaborating with The Women’s Organisation who have a track record for enterprise and business start-up, agencies such as Positive Futures Charity, local universities, City Council, and a new Liverpool Charity ‘Cornerstones’ who will link these young people with training and employment opportunities offered by Merseyside employers. The project aims to promote a new invigorated culture of corporate and social responsibility in Merseyside.
The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Liverpool Charity that has been a pioneer in the UK neurodiversity movement and why enjoys an international reputation for its health, education, and training services. Over 80% of the Foundation’s revenue derives from traded services. Sales of training across all sectors in the UK and abroad generates non statutory revenue that brings over 1 million pounds per year into the city. Its neurodiversity umbrella project has now been adopted by well-known brands such as Heathrow Airport, Rolls Royce, Admiral Insurance Group, Mastercard, Shaftesbury Estates Plc London, Soho Flordis Switzerland, Witherslack Group, and consortia of businesses, who in 2022 are funding the brightly coloured canopies Brighton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Chester, Crewe, Manchester, Huddersfield, and Gloucester. Businesses see but branding opportunities that benefit from over 40 million media hits every year as the frenzy of across social media promote those business brand values. launch of a new employability programme in Liverpool that is designed for creative neurodiverse young people leaving the care system, to ensure they make a successful transition from school to further education training and ollaborating with The Women’s Organisation who have a track record for enterprise and business Positive Futures Charity, local universities, City Council, and a new Liverpool Charity ‘Cornerstones’ who will link these young people with training and employment opportunities offered by Merseyside employers. The project aims to promote a new invigorated culture of corporate and social responsibility in Merseyside. Dynamic partnerships between third sector organisations and businesses add value to the mindset and sense of purpose of any innovative, business workforce. This CSR has enabled the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity to become a Dynamic partnerships between third sector organisations and businesses add value to the mindset and sense of purpose of any innovative, business workforce. This CSR has enabled the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity to become a pioneering, trend setting NGO delivering efficient, value for money support to individuals, businesses and public services that benefit the city of Liverpool. The Chamber of Commerce and the business networks and investment agencies face new post Brexit, post pandemic challenges, and opportunities, collaborating with the Third Sector offers synergistic partnerships that will enable us all to think differently, to benefit from these new opportunities.
For information about the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Services for Businesses or about how you can become involved in the Neurodiversity Umbrella Project or Employability Training Centre, contact tony.lloyd@adhdfoundation.org.uk
