Tackling the Construction skills shortage

The construction skills shortage has been well-documented but with a growing population, the problem says Bateman Groundworks, Managing Director, Jason Ramsey is not the number of people looking for work, but how we make a career in Construction more desirable.?

One of the main reasons for the UK skills shortage is an ageing workforce. As older workers reach retirement age fewer people are entering the industry to replace them.?

“What is needed is an industry-wide focus on changing perceptions, we must work harder at widening the talent pool and diversifying the workforce and pushing back against gender inequality. It is up to us to change the outdated view of Construction being a middle-aged male job, but this isn’t easy and we’re having to be more creative when it comes to attracting future construction workers”

From Bateman Groundworks perspective hiring more apprentices is a viable strategy for sourcing homegrown talent into the Construction sector.?

“An apprenticeship is a fantastic and life-changing route into Construction, our previous cohort has had an amazing impact across our business. Education and schooling are vital to promoting a career in construction in students from a young age. With careers in digital technology being an increasingly popular choice for young people, they’ve helped us see how modernising construction techniques will help increase our appeal.”

Collaboration and working with local communities is another route Bateman Groundworks has explored recently teaming up with Lovell Homes and Flagship Group to host year 5 and 6 students from Rackheath Primary School on a site visit to show them the stages of homes being built.?

Stuart Andrews, project manager at Bateman Groundworks, said “We were thrilled to welcome the next generation of Construction workers from Rackheath Primary School on site. The plant viewing area was very well received and the children loved getting to grips with the machinery.?

The Construction Industry provides a broad range of hugely rewarding career opportunities for young people, and to get onto a working site and see what matters in their own community being built, homes, and roads is very inspiring. It’s important that we create more partnerships like this in the future."

With a further 12 Construction Apprenticeships planned and more local school partnerships in the making, Bateman Groundworks is setting clear paths for a rewarding career in Construction.