The construction industry must focus on unlocking transferable skills.   

The industry needs to attract and train a diverse range of recruits who will over their working life develop their career paths across all aspects of the construction industry. 

A skills shortage continues to affect several sectors relating to the industry using modern methods of construction (MMC). With the delivery of new homes, built with a mix of traditional construction, design, planning, and new green technology through to products manufactured off-site.

We are starting to see new green technologies driving a circular economy, where the aim is to move away from new materials being extracted, used, and discarded at the end of their life. To the build focusing on reducing waste, retention, and recycling products as applicable.

Civil infrastructure, waste and resource management, and energy planning are also part of the green renewables that are becoming a common feature of green building certifications and planning regulations, including.

• Net zero emissions (carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases)
• Power (new energy systems)
• New technology – decarbonisation (climate technology)

The governments ten-point plan for a green industrial revolution is a commitment to 250,000 green jobs, covering clean energy, transport, nature, and innovative technologies.

These new roles require a certain high technical skill, core skills as well as, several soft skills, including, but not limited to:

• Communication skills (Language skills)
• Management skills (Planning and organisational)  
• Clerical skills (IT skills, MS Word, Excel, and other programmes) 
• Analytical thinking
• Complex problem solving (Qualification – Maths – Calculations)
• Critical thinking, problem solving and analysis (Maths)
• Creativity, originality and innovative 
• Technology Skills (Interact with computer-based technologies)
• Resourcefulness (ability to manage a varied workload and meet strict deadlines)
• Emotional intelligence
• Teamwork (People skills)

The construction of a building involves many job roles, from architects, designers, engineers, contractors, and sub-contractors all working together on specific construction projects. Key point in each of their roles always refers to job function and core skills.      

So, understanding the scope of transferrable skills relates directly and indirectly to the construction industry, most core skills can be found in all the following industry roles:      

Commercial Managers – managing daily operations, this role is one of the highest paid in the construction industry, they will have knowledge of laws and regulations and industry trends to make sound commercial decisions.  

Project Managers – the person in charge of the overall construction project – this role requires a full understanding and the supervision of the whole site.

Quantity Surveyors – manage the admin, invoices, payments and ensure that legal and quality standards are met.  

Site Engineers – develop a detailed design of the project. These are the people who supervise subcontractors and all onsite structures, drainage, fencing, safety barriers accordingly.

Estimators – these are the people who evaluate the building projects and estimate the cost of the build to the client, looking after budgets and quantity reports.

Trades and Labours – Cover a range of positions with assignments covering: Commercial construction projects, Industrial works, housing, and public sector developments.

With so many different job roles a career in the construction industry should not be dismissed. 

There are multiple ways of getting into the industry, it is common to find professionals from both university and trades routes. However, the majority of the construction workforce is still hugely male dominated with just around 14% of the UK’s construction workforce made-up of women, with the representation of people from a Black, Asian, and minority ethnic background (BAME) being around 5%. Even though there is nothing to prevent any of these groups taking up careers in the wider construction industry, in general, these groups have disproportionately been left behind when it comes to construction.

The industry needs to breakthrough the barriers to access these groups through apprenticeship programmes, and other trade routes. The gender composition of the UK’s workforce has changed dramatically over the last two decades and for this reason, is not unreasonable to suggest the industry in general needs to refresh its hiring practises to attract new candidates into the industry.

Environmentally, building, buildings should not stop at solar panels!

Green buildings are becoming priority UK Wide, introducing green energy, technology and high tec. Industries are becoming predominant careers options for everyone.

There is big demand for new green skills and training within modern methods of Housebuilding (MMH) sector. There are so many lower-tech ways to green buildings using principles of circular economy to retrofit the UK’s housing stock and infrastructure.  

The scope of a construction framework includes the delivery of life cycle projects through all stages of the design, build, internal and external refurbishments and improvements through to the buildings whole structure. Modern methods of construction (MMC) uses a combination of offsite manufacturing, onsite techniques, and innovative technologies there is an opportunity for the construction industry to develop cutting edge trade routes and apprenticeships.

Culture has created environments that are broad enough to push many career paths – our advice to anyone who’s thinking of a career in construction, follow your dreams – As a starting position get into a role that’s high in demand, use your transferrable skills, to get an apprenticeship within the industry that appeals to your interest, it may not be glamorous, but it is the best way to get the experience required to establish yourself.

Training should be specific to your career, and the companies needs and requirements. Workplace training, health and safety training, construction courses and NVQs qualifications can be delivered as part of your onsite training by Essential Site Skills (ESS).  https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/in-company-training

The construction industries transition into a green economy requires a workforce to have the right skills. This includes skills in clean energy, environmental and suitability and service sectors through to the Built environment, and manufacturing.   

ESS already offer a comprehensive range of CITB accredited courses, construction training, health, and safety courses, and NVQ qualifications covering an ever-increasing range of topics.

View upcoming public courses by month and year online https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/training-calendar  You can book direct online, or you can contact one of our expert training advisors direct: 0115 8970 529 they will assist you find an alternative training location or date, or create bespoke training for your organisation. 

Construction training is key to securing a talented workforce. For further information about Essential Site Skills, our Training Calendar, Courses and NVQs, Apprenticeships, Funding and Grants, E-Learning, Products and Services and more, view online https://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/   

For all other enquiries please call Head Office: 0115 897 0529