Cross-sector collaboration can solve the skills shortage | Comment

The construction skills shortage has been well documented for a long time and although everyone is aware of the current situation, there still seems to be resistance to come together and agree a way forward. As a result, we currently lack the experienced professionals needed to deliver the results needed in the future.

Why is there resistance to change?

This resistance is largely due to the fact that construction has always been – and remains – a very traditional industry. It provides a vital service across the UK and because demand is so high it often means companies are too focused on the task at hand, rather than upskilling staff and preparing for the future.

But as we continue on the path to net zero, the idea of ​​future-proofing yourself with new skills has never been more important.

That said, learning has never been high on construction companies’ priority list, but it is of course an absolute priority for the education sector. Upskilling is where education shines because it is literally built for change and driven by industry, whereas the construction sector has a very established approach.

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Education is also striving to evolve and innovate and has welcomed digitalization that has taken learning to the next level – another area where construction is still working to gain momentum.

Therefore, collaboration between these two sectors will bear fruit in construction – bringing the best of both into a truly skilled workforce.

Why has there been no cooperation so far?

The education sector is monitored by the government and there is a preconceived notion that things under government supervision always take time – time that simply does not exist in construction. However, instead of giving up on developing partnerships, we should recognize that improving qualifications in the sector may outweigh the potential waiting time for cross-sector cooperation.

In construction, the decisions that move the needle are made by the most senior figures in the industry, while in education, even those at the top of the tree often have to seek further approval. Let’s not forget, however, that the construction industry has repeatedly demonstrated its versatility in managing “bureaucracy”, which bodes well for a potential partnership.

So how to start cooperation?

It would be easy to assume that construction and education didn’t go hand in hand before, but that’s not the case. There have been attempts at collaboration in the past, but the problem was that the wrong people were at the table.

“Bosses” often attend these types of meetings, but they rely heavily on direct employees to provide training. It is therefore clear that the industry needs to place greater trust in the wider team to upskill.

There is no point in having an individual lead the discussion based solely on seniority – it should come down to who has the most knowledge and direct experience in a given field.

Similarly, we often see that learning is the responsibility of the HR team, which is also often not proactive and indicates that the sector needs to focus on hiring people and creating positions focused specifically on people development.

The need for continuous development

The construction sector is guilty of being overly reactive when it comes to upskilling. Countless times, an industry white paper or new piece of legislation has been published and professionals have scrambled to conduct research to make sure they are compliant. The same applies to improving qualifications.

This reactivity often means that development is not continuous. It’s very difficult and we all know it’s not the best learning environment. Continuous development allowed the development of the educational sector, and by placing emphasis on science and introducing certain regulations, also the development of construction.

How to move forward

There is no quick way to improve your qualifications in the construction industry, however, the example from other industries is very clear, especially in education.

Having said that, before any discussions can begin, the construction industry must recognize the urgent need for people development and the importance of making it a priority to be able to have these conversations in the near future.

Once they happen, there is no reason why we shouldn’t see today’s professionals learn and grow in the industry, with the next generation emerging behind them.

Jen Longden is the CEO of digital learning platform Tequ, part of the Pagabo Group