A Blueprint for Change

Next Steps Addressing these chronic skills issues will take concerted efforts to improve the industry’s image, many panellists felt, by ‘selling the sector’ differently. One panellist said the industry needed its own ‘sexy influencers’ on social media to upend preconceptions. More prosaically, panellists highlighted great work already being done by the likes of JCB, which has set up an academy school; engineering firm Gallaghers, which runs an annual careers open day alongside supply chain partners; and the Connect Plus consortium overseeing maintenance of the M25, which runs outreach programmes recruiting from ex-offenders and the army. More such ventures are needed, it was argued. However, most optimism was reserved for initiatives likely to bring disparate partners together. The London Construction Academy, for example, which is supported by a raft of contractors including FM Conway, takes

nominations from London boroughs of people not in employment education or training (NEETs), to train them up to work in the sector. One involved panellist said the venture had successfully trained up 500 young people through bold collaboration – despite being held back by a lack of sufficient local authority engagement. Panellists in one session were very keen to bring forward a new initiative, which could bring together London boroughs, training providers such as universities, and the construction sector. This would see the partners develop a joined-up offer to train staff as part of long term partnering or contracting agreements, which could potentially also lever in additional government funding. One panellist said: “Previously the likes of TfL have carried out initiatives on their own, but far more powerful would be for all operators to get together. Contractors would get involved because it’s in their interests to do so.”

Conclusion and Path Forward Panellists said they wanted to do more work to bottom out how such a scheme might work. This would include working out how to ensure a level playing field with procurement. Panellists said such a move would require all sides to be bold: “We’re prepared to be brave, but we can’t do it alone if others won’t.”

Sustainable Infrastructure: A Blueprint for Change | 25