The Building Podcast with Mark Wakeford
Mark Wakeford is a Director of the National Federation of Builders, Strategy Director of the Global Solar Council and Chair of the West Midlands Solar Taskforce. He has run a large regional building contractor and now chairs Evoenergy, one of the UK's foremost renewable companies, bringing low carbon solutions to corporate Britain.
Mark talks to leading experts from across the construction sector to discuss issues facing the built environment. He explores various challenges with his guests, who offer solutions, information and ideas that listeners can apply to their own situations, be it in a company, on a project or studying at college.
The Building Podcast aims to provide 'CPD on the go'. Supporting the sector with easily digestible ideas to support a rapidly changing industry!
The Building Podcast with Mark Wakeford
Construction Skills - Government is trying to help - Get involved to secure your legacy and the future of your business
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Construction skills remain a challenge for the industry. Construction is recruiting fewer new recruits, and our average age of tradesperson continues to increase. Where and how is our sector going to find the people with the skills to provide a service? The Government's solution for England is the ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges scattered throughout the country. These FE Colleges have already proven that they are exceptional and can act as regional training hubs for the industry. There is some money to facilitate better courses with good lecturers and money to support SME engagement. The industry is characterised with many small businesses, through which much of the trade training is delivered. These jobs are relatively immune to Artificial Intelligence, yet the high cost of recruitment and employment is deterring many from making this investment in their workforce.
Sam Egan is the Group Director of CTECs at the Bedford College Group which has the responsibility for steering the ten CTECs. She has the responsibility to make this investment work and to help solve the developing construction skills crisis. Listen to this podcast to hear what is planned and why this time this initiative has the authority and breadth to make a difference.
Listen to hear how and why construction employers of all sizes should get involved. Listen to hear the role of trade federations in assimilating knowledge and expectations from their members and distilling it in support of assessing curricula and demand. Listen to hear about the support on offer for small businesses to employ apprentices and improve their competencies.
Find a CTEC - The National CTEC Hub
Bedford College Group | The Bedford College Group | Further and Higher Education