Construction will be key to Scotland's post-pandemic recovery – with an influx of fresh apprentices not only injecting fresh energy into the sector, but also creating more diverse workforce. By Andrew Collier.

CONSTRUCTION in Scotland is, and probably always will be, big business. It is estimated that current investment and planning for future projects runs to some £33 billion, with further billions in public and private spending still to come.

As we move out of the pandemic and meet the challenges and requirements of the built environment of the future, a well-qualified workforce in the sector is needed more than ever. 

By necessity, standards in construction are high. Opportunities for satisfying and well-paid careers are legion, but learning and qualifications matter. Those working in the industry – and it accounts for some 12% of Scotland’s companies – now need to be better educated than ever.

One leader in the field, JB Management, has been providing training for more than 30 years. Formed by Bill and Maureen Ure, it remains a family business committed to delivering lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Its main – though not exclusive – focus is on construction and it offers both work-based qualifications and short classroom-based courses.

The company delivers onsite assessments and works to ensure that training is tailored to learner needs. Its qualifications can lead to membership of professional bodies such as the Institution of Safety and Health (IOSH), the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

In total Ayr-based JBM employs more than 30 people and trains some 1100 apprentices a year. “We offer courses right across the country from Shetland to Dumfries”, Managing Director Kellie Zdanowicz, pictured right, explains.

As much of the training involves onsite assessments, the Covid pandemic changed the method of delivery. “Online training became a necessity – our trainers just kept going”, she adds. “It was a hard time, but we worked to support our apprentices as much as we could.

“Construction certainly didn’t stop, but it was a difficult time for the industry. Sites had to be shut, testing had to be done correctly and everyone had to make sure that people were following the rules. It was challenging for everyone, but the industry was really respectful of health and safety.”

While Covid created its own challenges within the industry, other longer lasting and more structural ones continue. As well as the ongoing issue of skills gaps, another issue is attracting women into the sector – something that has historically been difficult. Currently, only some two per cent of those in construction are female.

“We work very closely with organisations including the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland to encourage women to go into the industry, especially at entry level”, Ms Zdanowicz says.

“There is a lot of good work going on, but still a feeling that women don’t want to go out and dig holes. That remains the perception of the way construction is. But there’s so much more to it than that.

“There is a huge environmental and sustainability skills gap that has to be filled and it’s only going to get larger. And there are so many different routes into construction, such as procurement management, contracts and technology. A key focus for us this year is to try and encourage more women in.”

There is definitely a space for a recruitment drive that aims to be diverse, she adds. Efforts to address this are being made at JBM by introducing initiatives such as training in contracting and estimating frameworks that are aimed at attracting female recruits, enabling them to go on to take apprenticeships. “It gets them into the construction industry and lets them see that there are so many opportunities. There was a case study recently featuring a woman who went into an administration role in a large construction company we work with.

“She very quickly realised that she wanted to take more of a hands-on approach and has just finished taking a qualification in contracts and operations. She is now sitting her lorry driving licence and will move into a senior management role. That shows the kind of career opportunities that exist.”

The issues of the environment and sustainability are also hugely important for construction and more units covering these subjects are to be introduced to apprenticeships, Kellie Zdanowicz says. Her company is aware of this and already offers additional training in this area.

What, though, about the burning issue of attracting more people and skills in general into the industry? As we emerge from the pandemic, Scottish building companies are facing higher levels of demand, but at the same time many of them are struggling to hire quality tradespeople. What is needed is an environment in which education is key and where there is a real focus on relevant qualifications that are needed, Ms Zdanowicz says. “We have to make sure that apprenticeships are growing and developing within the industry.

“Another important thing is to build existing skills. That needs to be encouraged. We do train young people, but actually the majority of our work is with adults. People have to be prepared to think about moving on to the next step. A lot of people think that apprenticeships are just for school leavers, but they’re not. They go up to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 11 which is the equivalent of a master’s degree.”

Companies need to consider promoting from within rather than waiting for graduates to qualify and arrive. “The perception of the industry has also changed quite a lot. There is an understanding now that it’s pretty specialised. There is also an understanding that a skills gap exists, and that after a few years, people can earn good salaries and do very well.

“Workers such as electricians have to consider things like sustainability impacts these days. And if anything, the construction industry in Scotland is going to grow and grow. We need it so we can recover from Covid and develop as a country.”

Technology also now plays a vital part in the sector and JBM offers training in this. “We want to show people how to put together a spreadsheet or send a professional e-mail.”

There is sometimes resistance to learning about IT, she adds, but it is about breaking perceptions and making people aware of the opportunities that exist and how important reskilling in areas such as this can be. “The whole point of apprenticeships is to get people to achieve their potential. In any industry, lifelong learning is the most important thing. The opportunities it offers can be very exciting.”

 

This article is brought to you in association with JBM.