This morning I read a new article released by Infrastructure Intelligence, which highlights the findings of recent study carried out by the ECITB highlights the growing skills gap in the engineering and construction industry. The article amplifies that employers are not confident that they would meet recruitment targets for the next decade. 33,000 jobs are expected to be required in that time and a growing skills gap has been identified. The figures from this article are as follows:
One-third of employers (35%) expect to grow their workforce over the next three years, while only 5% expect it to reduce in size.
Employers believe the skills gap will stay the same (43%) or get worse (44%) over the next three years.
More than half of employers (55%) see the ageing and retiring workforce as the main reason for the skills gap. The research shows that 31% of employees are over 50, but only 12% are under 25.
Women are hugely underrepresented in engineering construction, comprising just 12.5% of the workforce.
Employers said they found it difficult to recruit because applicants lack the required skills and experience (81%) or don’t have the right qualifications for many industry roles (54%).
Employers also highlighted a competitive market for skilled engineers, with 62% fearing losing recruits to competitors paying higher salaries.
The research found that 61% of apprentices earn less than £15k and 43% of graduates earn between £21 and £25k.
Just under a third of employers (29%) felt restrictions on freedom of movement after Brexit would make recruitment more difficult, but there was regional variance – 40% of employers in London felt Brexit would make recruitment harder, but 66% of employers in Wales felt Brexit would have no impact on their recruitment.
The same challenges are faced by the Nuclear industry and these figures enforce just how important the work of organisations such as the NNG are. Soon, we will have lost the knowledge of workers with over 30 years experience to retirement and, with a lack of new talent coming through, it leaves the industry with a large gap in skills, knowledge, experience and training.
It is vital that we create opportunities for young people to join the profession and give them the training and experience they need to deliver complex projects and meet industry needs. The NNG are working to attract people to the sector and give them the knowledge, resources and support they need to develop their knowledge and skills.
You can read the full Infrastructure Intelligence article here: http://www.infrastructure-intelligence.com/article/mar-2019/new-study-reveals-growing-skills-gap-construction