Nicola Hodkinson, Owner and Director of Seddon Construction, shares her thoughts below on the implications for the construction industry and the challenges that need to be addressed?
The new Labour government has announced Skills England, a public body aimed at bringing together central and local government, businesses, training providers, and unions to address the nation's skills needs. But what does this mean for businesses, business owners and employees working in the construction sector?
The Prime Minister's announcement of Skills England - a new public body aimed at boosting skills training - is a step in the right direction, but the construction industry needs more than just another bureaucratic body. We need a skills revolution, not a reshuffle.
The construction sector faces unique challenges in addressing the skills gap, which require unique government support. Our industry is characterised by a highly transient workforce, with the majority made up of self-employed sole traders and small to medium-sized enterprises.
For these businesses, accessing the funds, resources, and time required to employ apprentices can be a significant challenge. What we need from Skills England is a commitment to providing tangible support for employers, including government-backed incentives, such as grants or tax breaks, to help businesses take on and support apprentices through to graduation.
Local businesses want to support skills development, but they need practical solutions that reflect the realities of our industry. This means breaking down apprenticeships into more flexible, modular qualifications that align with the nature of today's construction firms.
Only through genuine collaboration between government, education providers, and businesses of all sizes can we hope to build a workforce capable of meeting the construction targets of this government.”
