‘Urgent action needed to prevent further damage to the construction sector’
AELP responds to Boosting Routes Into Industry report
Following the publication of Boosting Routes Into Industry by NOCN Group and the Cross-Industry Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF), AELP have issued the following response through its Chief Executive Officer, Ben Rowland:
AELP welcomes this important report by NOCN and CCATF, Boosting Routes Into Industry, which sets out the huge skills challenge faced within construction. Fragmentation in the skills system has held back progress and we urgently need a national skills strategy to tackle these skills shortages. Without urgent action the situation will deteriorate further.
An 'all levels' approach endorsed in the report would help to create a 'funnel' of talent throughout construction (an ‘all levels’ approach is also valuable in other sectors). We also agree that working across all four nations is a bold approach and should be encouraged. Devolution is vital and valuable, but so is getting the national and regional balance right so that all levels work together effectively. Each level doing what it does best, is something AELP supports.
More widely, it has been positive to see the scope of Skills Bootcamps widen to include opportunities at level 2 in construction. This alone cannot fill the gap though, and something needs to be done to address the decline in apprenticeships at level 2 which is significantly damaging the skills pipeline in sectors such as construction.
Although bringing new talent into the workforce is one challenge, the report highlights the need to ensure there is also the right infrastructure, programmes, pathways and incentives available for people once they are in that workforce. Without this flow of progression within industry, we will not be able to ensure the existing workforce is able to maintain competence, and get top-up skills in new and emerging technology, such as digitalisation and new construction methods.
As ever, the challenges of supporting the UK’s commitment to green skills and Net-Zero features heavily and this will only be possible with a skilled workforce equipped to support this transition, whether that is in construction, electrical engineering, surveying, heavy engineering and other trades, or indeed in supporting functions like HR and IT.
The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) is a national membership body, proudly representing its many member organisations. AELP members support thousands of businesses and millions of learners in England by delivering a wide range of training, vocational learning, and employability programmes.
For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected]
‘Urgent action needed to prevent further damage to the construction sector’
AELP responds to Boosting Routes Into Industry report
Read the report below.
For further information or interviews please contact Matt Strong, Communications Manager, AELP, on 07920 161685 or [email protected]
