How does PeoplePlus Impact the Construction Industry?
With the UK government committed to building 100,000 new homes by 2030, the explosion in home insulation schemes, de-carbonisation projects, ongoing cladding refits with non-flammable materials, and infrastructure projects such as HS2 and more, the future should be looking bright for the construction sector. Even the current problems with aerated concrete (RAAC) represent opportunity for contractors who can contribute to fixing the issue. Unfortunately, the industry is struggling to overcome a fundamental blocker - a shortage of staff able and willing to take up their jobs.
We support people to find, engage with and recognise construction jobs as potential opportunities for them, directly via Restart, Fair Start and on the Welsh Apprenticeship scheme - and via our Employer and Training Provider networks in the Social Recruitment Framework (#SRF).
We also kick off Construction sector training journeys - our e-learning platform, LearningPlus, is enabling hundreds of would-be construction employees, from a diverse range of backgrounds, to gain the qualifications they need to enter work, and progress.
In 2022 alone, nearly 1,000 people completed the online study for and passed the exam to gain a Level 1 Health and Safety in a Construction Environment award with LearningPlus. To date in 2023 over 500 people have secured this essential qualification with us – mandated as the first stage of skills training construction workers must successfully complete to apply for a CSCS, or Green, card. Holding this card is the first step of the journey to working safely in any construction trade.
Social Recruitment Advocacy Group (#SRAG) construction and infrastructure members and PeoplePlus partners include Amey, Kier and Morrison Water Services, each contributing unique insights on making their industry even more accessible to a diversified talent pool.
So PeoplePlus is working to help alleviate at least two of construction's most urgent issues – uncovering new talent pipelines and supporting Construction sector training journeys.
The work on the learning and development side will soon feature a new initiative, spearheaded by Lydia Baker, (LearningPlus Operations Manager), on Women in Construction. Watch this space!
Want to know more, or get involved? Email [email protected]