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The world of construction is always changing. Our blogs uncover the latest developments in the industry and provide insight into the work CIOB and our members are doing for the built environment.
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Construction is a crucial sector within the UK economy. In 2016, the value of new construction work reached its highest level on record at over £99 million and the sector created over 55,000 new jobs. However, with this success comes a challenge: modern day slavery is hidden on construction sites across the UK today.
It’s nearly four years since CIOB’s Annual Members’ Forum in Qatar. We covered a lot of ground in that hot and dusty week. As well as looking at world class projects, members learned about the challenges of protecting migrants and the evils of illegal recruitment fees. We also explored best practice, such as how to improve worker welfare and how to recruit ethically.
The pride and passion CIOB members share for the Institute has never failed to impress me and our Chartered home has been a big, important part of my professional and personal life. I was honored to be President of the CIOB a few years ago and during that time I visited most of our local operations in the UK and overseas.
We know how hard it is to acquire a CIOB Diploma in Construction Site Management. We’ve seen first-hand, over the past 30 years, the hard work and effort each individual puts in to achieve this qualification. During the two years of study, students are given the knowledge and skills to manage complex projects effectively. We award over 300 students a year and we see the sense of achievement they have when they can list it on their CV to potential employers, enabling them to progress into senior management roles in construction.
The majority of construction professionals will work on historic buildings at some point during their career, but most will not understand the different approaches needed to repair and ‘restore’ traditional construction. This is the predominant reason for the creation of the CIOB’s Conservation Special Interest Group (SIG) - to promote the skills, knowledge and innovation this aspect of the construction industry requires. Our group consists of CIOB members who are passionate about conserving listed and traditional buildings, and we are working hard to raise the profile for heritage needs across the world.
The challenge of attracting a new generation of talent into the industry is sadly a topic all too familiar for the construction industry. Latest UK statistics suggest the sector will have a gap in its workforce at over 150,000 people by 2022, so there are opportunities. Part of the problem is the prevalent misconception in schools, universities and in society at large about what the industry does and therefore what a career in construction can offer.
I didn’t decide to enter the construction industry until my mid-twenties. I was working as a telecom engineer and had 2 young children and really wanted a career change. I had just recently completed a refurbishment of my house and enjoyed it so much I thought a career in construction would be enjoyable.
My career path into construction has been a winding, sometimes bumpy, but definitely worthwhile, journey. It hasn’t been the traditional route from school into higher education or an apprenticeship. When I was in my teens I fell on hard times. It was a struggle as I found myself homeless and felt that there were no opportunities for me to pursue a career, I just needed a job. I found myself working in hospitality, in bars and shops, but I knew it wasn’t what I wanted long-term.
There is no quicker way to learn than to immerse yourself in an unfamiliar environment, and that’s how apprenticeships work. People are immersed in their role and they learn by doing. It really is no wonder why work-based learning delivers such fantastic results for employers. They offer businesses an array of benefits, from retention to productivity. In fact, research has shown that a typical apprentice delivers productivity gains of over £10,000 per annum. With the arrival of new standards, there is no better time to invest in apprenticeships.
Each year the CIOB run the Sir Ian Dixon Scholarship, which is a one-year research scholarship on the subject of construction management. This year’s recipients, Alex Stephens and George Holder, are both new to construction, with less than 6 years in the industry between them. For National Careers Week 2018, they sat down to tell the CIOB how they’ve ended up pursuing a career in construction.
When I started my career in construction, it was by accident. I was given work experience as a receptionist at a building surveyor’s office in the years when the girls were given the admin tasks and the boys got the [to me] interesting technical roles and I found myself getting hooked on the industry. It was through support of my colleagues and mentors that I pursued a career in construction but I look back and wonder; if I’d known more at a younger age, would I have taken to that path quicker? When do you stop enjoying Lego, sandcastles and Minecraft? I realised that you can follow a career that you thoroughly enjoy and this can use the skills and interests that you have from your hobbies.