skillsgap

SELECT warns that skills shortages could create challenges for green heating plans

Scotland’s largest construction trade body, SELECT, has warned that “significant investment” is needed to ensure there is a sufficiently skilled workforce to install new domestic heating technology and meet net zero targets safely. The campaigning electrical association says investment in “proper” apprenticeships and upskilling the existing workforce is essential – and it’s also vital to upgrade the nation’s electrical supply to accommodate green domestic technology. SELECT’s warnings came after it responded to…

Engineering services business survey: firms hunt for the right people to aid bounce back

The latest quarterly Building Engineering Business Survey, conducted by leading electrotechnical trade body ECA in partnership with BESA, SELECT and SNIPEF, reveals an expected bounce back for the sector in Q2. Materials shortages and cash flow continue to affect the sector. But recruiting and retaining the right calibre of staff is now the biggest curb on business growth. A rise in apprenticeship recruitment shows a recognition that investing in people…

Why the construction industry needs to investigate alternative paths to entry to address the ongoing pain of skills shortages

By Emma Dickson, Technical Director at Arcadis and industry co-chair of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Skills and Workforce sub group Employers in the construction industry in Scotland hardly need to be reminded of the skills shortages which are hampering the industry as it continues to focus on recovery – shortages which are coming close to threatening the sector’s long-term health. The fact that demand for skills is outstripping supply is…

JTL’s response to the latest Homeserve report

The ‘UK Domestic Trade Skills Index’ is a new quarterly report from Homeserve Foundation, which provides comprehensive insights and analysis into the state of the nation’s trades skills. JTL, the leading national training provider for electrical and heating & plumbing apprenticeships, discusses the report’s findings. JTL’s Chief Executive, Jon Graham (pictured), says: “February’s UK Domestic Trade Skills Index highlights that a staggering 1.25 million extra construction trades workers and over…