Mozz Baker is an Advanced Professional in the Construction Department at Walsall College
Building a strong and sustainable talent pipeline for the construction industry has never been more important. Against the backdrop of widespread skills shortages, rapidly evolving technology and the climate crisis that calls for boosting green skills and ‘greening’ the sector, creating the right educational opportunities for people from all backgrounds is paramount. can access construction jobs.
“FE offers opportunities for everyone, fostering social mobility and growing a diverse portfolio of talent that enriches our sector”
The higher education and training sector has a key role to play here. FE is uniquely positioned to develop in-demand technical skills, promote social mobility by creating opportunities for people from under-represented backgrounds and embed green skills into the curriculum. FE has the power to transform individual lives and, in turn, has the ability to transform construction to become more diverse and more sustainable.
Filling the void
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the construction sector experienced the second highest percentage of worker shortages at the end of 2022 (reported by 20.7 per cent of businesses), second only to services accommodation and food (35.5 percent). . A key part of the solution to the talent shortage is building the UK’s technical skills capacity, as the government recognized in its Skills for jobs white paper and attract talent from different backgrounds to choose the trade of construction.
The more technical and higher education can gain parity of esteem with higher education, the richer and more diverse the construction talent pool will be. It wasn’t until I started learning my craft in college that I really found joy in learning. I didn’t do too well in school, but as soon as I got to college I realized that I was more capable academically than I had previously realized. FE offers people of all backgrounds and ages opportunities to enter the industry through a variety of pathways. Real-world experiences gained, often working in industry while studying for a qualification, are also invaluable and prepare students for the workplace.
going green
As we acquire technical skills, we must also ensure that education for sustainable development is integrated into the curriculum. Only by developing the right green skills can we help ensure the sector’s transition to greater sustainability.
Clearly, there is much more to be done in this space, but there is a groundswell of motivation to bring about change. By working together at FE and in partnership with business and the construction industry, we can make a real impact, helping the UK to adapt and mitigate the consequences of our changing climate. It takes commitment from all parties to make this happen, but the rewards are worth the effort.
Transformation through FE
Above all, FE is about opportunities. I was inspired by those who taught me, and now I use my career as an educator to share opportunities and inspire others to help transform their lives and careers. Since transitioning from trade to teaching, I have worked with all ages, from adults to school-aged children. FE offers opportunities to everyone, promoting social mobility and growing diverse talent portfolios that enrich our sector.
Indeed, the transformative power of FE is recognized throughout the UK. Recent research by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) found that more than four in five (82%) UK adults agree that VET and training can be useful for getting ahead or finding a career or work Nine out of 10 (88%) of those who have a friend, family member or colleague who has taken part in FE and training have found it to be a positive step for that person in their career development.
These findings highlight the opportunities available for learning, reskilling and development within FE that must continue to be exploited to continue building a highly skilled and diverse workforce.
The future of construction
Like most other sectors, construction is currently facing a cocktail of challenges. However, there are reasons for hope. The FE and training sector represents a fundamental part of the solution to these challenges, and the sectors can and must work together to their mutual benefit. Together, we can ensure a bright, sustainable and diverse future for the sector.
