The future of construction is manufacturing

Earlier this month we attended the Worldskills UK roundtable to discuss the future of construction, where it is moving in terms of technology and the implications that has for skills, training and development.

Before the roundtable those attending were asked to consider:

• Catalyst for change: Do we look at Brexit as an opportunity to move to a completely different
  construction operating model – to an offsite model (factory-based) – which will require the
  development of new or blended skill sets?
• Drivers: What would be the potential drivers of a new operating model for housebuilding and
  infrastructure eg public policy, regulation, cost effectiveness?
• Constraints: What would hold back the development of a new operating environment and
  preparation for new skills training and development eg industry intransigence, lack of client
  demand, lack of preparedness by the FE and skills sector, lack of skills in the workforce?
• Perception: What might enthuse young people to consider careers in construction and how do
  we prepare the ground for a new tech and construction skills conversation?

Conclusions:

1. We need to maintain a twin-track approach to skills: With the technological changes happening within the sector we must not forget the role and importance of attracting young people to the traditional trades, which is such a crucial part of the supply chain in construction now and in the future. However, a key component of these traditional trades is how we continue to upskill those who undertake them and how we merge new technologies into these trades.
2. We need to take an “innovation leap of faith”: There has been a big question around who takes on the leadership of investing in technology and the future-proofing of the sector from a skills perspective. Given the twin-track approach to skills development, we need to ensure there is a ‘research and development’ conversation taking place between industry and the education sector. The perception historically being that it should be demand led by employers but employers want to build on the demonstrated best practice observed in some colleges. There needs to be further strengthening of the collaboration between employers and FE institutions. We need a collaborative effort to create a lot more dialogue between the industry and further education and the opportunity for FE to lead that debate where there is capacity, to create greater employer engagement and a more structured dialogue. To future-proof the industry there also needs to be effective collaboration between employers and the skills sector to ensure we have the right standards, qualifications and funding in place.
3. We need to take a longer term perspective: While we work out the implications of public policy reforms within the sector, such as the impact of the Apprenticeship Levy, this can stop us from developing a longer-term vision. There is a leadership role for the FE sector to play in laying out this vision for the value of technical education aligned with economic and technological development in the context of attracting inward investment and helping maintain competitiveness.
4. We need to attract more young people to the sector by “translating the industry” better: We need a new way of describing construction careers that incorporates the technological changes and modernisation so it appeals to young people. Where there is an emphasis on the transferable careers and skills that young people can bring into the sector – whether that is scientific, numerical or artistic, we need a more creative approach. This must emphasise the outcomes of construction and use more exciting imagery than hard hats and high vis vests.
5. We need to engage schools: But with an understanding that schools are under constraints to meet their targets – which construction companies recognise. So we have to engage with schools in a far more systematic and embedded way. Construction companies are built around projects that are delivered in locations covering multiple schools. A more focused approached can be taken where engaging with schools should be seen as an investment for the longer-term.

Next steps:

• Find out more about WorldSkills UK and WorldSkills UK LIVE here
• Take a look at our free careers hub, plumbed in with the latest LMI it is one way to explore future careers online
• Explore our Young Professional Membership and how we support young people to develop their skills for free