Declan McDonnell’s Post

With the national bricklaying shortage increasing, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS College) are taking matters into their own hands as enrollments for their bricklaying courses surge. As it currently stands, the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC) estimates an additional 33,000 bricklayers are needed to meet the government's targets. Not only that but the target of building 300,000 new homes annually. SGS College's comprehensive training starts from level 1 for beginners and advanced to level 2 preparing students for apprenticeships while also covering essential skills. Bridging the skills gap in supporting the construction industry is imperative as the skills shortage continues. Read the full article about SGS College's efforts below: https://lnkd.in/eTR874Jy

Fabulous to read about this initiative, so critical for achieving circularity in architecture and built environment

🌱🚧🌍 GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY: Planting Seeds and Watering Them 🌱🚧🌍 I had an incredible opportunity today to represent both the North Atlantic States Carpenter Training Fund and Turner Construction, and I wanted to share my experience with all of you. It was a moment that truly emphasized the power of growth and opportunity, and how they can only materialize when we plant seeds and water them. Today, I had the privilege of joining the Chelsea Collaborative and MBK 617 (pre apprenticeships) on a tour of Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain. Our goal was to enlighten and inspire pre-apprentices about the various phases of construction they could be involved in, should they choose to pursue a career as union carpenters. As we walked through the hospital, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and possibility in the air. The pre-apprentices were eager to learn and absorb everything they could about the construction industry. It was a beautiful sight to witness their curiosity and passion. During our tour, we discussed the importance of planting seeds by acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge. We emphasized the value of education and training, as these are the seeds that lay the foundation for growth and success. We encouraged the pre-apprentices to seize every opportunity to learn and grow, knowing that their efforts will be rewarded in the future. But planting seeds is just the first step. To ensure growth and opportunity, we must also water these seeds with support and mentorship. We must create an environment where these pre-apprentices can flourish and thrive. That's where organizations like Chelsea Collaborative and MBK617 come in - they provide the necessary resources, guidance, and support to help individuals reach their full potential. The experience at Faulkner Hospital reminded me of the immense power we have to shape the future. By investing in the next generation and empowering them with the tools they need, we are not just building structures, but also creating opportunities for personal and professional growth. So, let's continue to plant seeds of knowledge, skills, and opportunities. Let's water them with support, mentorship, and guidance. Together, we can cultivate an environment where growth and opportunity are nurtured, and where dreams can blossom into reality. #GrowthAndOpportunity #PlantingSeeds #WateringThem #ChelseaCollaborative #MBK617 #ConstructionIndustry #UnionCarpenters #EmpoweringTheNextGeneration

🏗️ Fresh Investment in Construction Skills Hub Training! 🎓 As covered in FE Week (https://lnkd.in/enee8Nyw), £140M of joint investment is being made by CITB and NHBC (member of The 5% Club) to address the UK's housebuilding skills gap. The initiative will establish 32 new skills hubs (locations to be announced, but to be centred close to "homebuilding need"), to support up to 5,000 apprentices annually by 2028. 🏠 Key highlights: 🔹 NHBC committing £100M for 12 multi-skills training hubs 🔹 CITB investing £40M to complete the network 🔹 Fast-track training reducing apprenticeship completion from 24-30 months to just 12-18 months 🔹 Focus on groundworks, bricklaying, and carpentry 🗣️ "It is clear that we need to rethink how we train our workforce and be much more agile in our approach," says Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, highlighting this collaborative effort between industry and government. The initiative comes at a crucial time, with CITB estimating 250,000 construction workers needed by 2028 to meet housing demands. 🗣️ As Roger Morton, NHBC's Director of Change and Training Hubs explains, these facilities will provide "realistic conditions" mirroring actual construction sites. #ConstructionIndustry #SkillsDevelopment #Apprenticeships #UKConstruction #CareersinConstruction

Creating a workforce that is adaptable and skilled is key to driving economic growth. At Carroll Community College, we’re working hard to align our programs with the evolving needs of local industries. From partnerships like the Millwright Apprenticeship Program to the upcoming Ratcliffe Applied Technology and Trades Center, we’re preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow. This approach is not just about filling immediate roles—it’s about building a resilient, future-ready workforce that supports long-term community growth. Workforce development plays a critical role in ensuring that businesses thrive while individuals gain the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market.  https://lnkd.in/eSsu9BsT

The Labour Party have been terrible since getting into power, but this one initiative I can get behind: Five thousand more construction apprenticeship places will be made available due to a £140 million industry investment to get Britain building again. The government aims to bring 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs to deliver fast-track training to areas in need of housing, and give apprentices skills to boost housebuilding. The hubs will offer realistic working environments for training for trades including bricklayers, roofers, plasterers, scaffolders, electricians, carpenters and more. The government is working with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the National House-Building Council (NHBC) to launch the hubs, in tandem with Skills England to identify the areas that need construction workers the most. Full article: https://lnkd.in/ePK59Uze

The UK construction sector is at a critical juncture. With demand for skilled workers outstripping supply, the skills shortage has become a significant challenge for businesses across the industry. This shortage is not just a numbers game; it impacts project timelines, costs, and the ability to innovate. While the new apprenticeship skills hubs will tackle shortages, it remains to be seen how well the courses will be taught with a diminishing amount of experienced workers able to take on teaching roles. What steps do you think the construction industry should take to address this challenge?

👷♂️ Bridging the Skills Gap in Construction! In response to a critical labor shortage, South Florida's construction industry is getting a much-needed boost from an innovative apprenticeship program. This initiative is helping to fill the gap with skilled labor by providing hands-on training and education to the next generation of builders. As we face continuous growth in construction demands, such programs are vital for sustaining development and ensuring that we have the workforce needed to meet future challenges. Great to see local solutions addressing big issues! Discover how this program is making a difference: https://lnkd.in/ed69JQCf #ConstructionCareers #SkilledWorkforce #SouthFloridaBuilding"

I recently had the privilege of learning about an important initiative led by passionate roofing professionals and organisations across the US.    Steve Little, who is an ambassador of our #PeopleMakeRoofing campaign, explains how such initiatives and programs are helping to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our industry today: the skills gap. Empowering young people and tradespeople through education, and providing access to apprenticeship programs, is necessary if we are to revolutionize our industry. Trough the initiatives Steve speaks so passionately about, program leaders are demonstrating the diverse and exciting career paths available, both on the blue-collar and white-collar sides of the industry. The development of an apprenticeship program, elevating a bespoke curriculum, is being distributed to over 5000 trade schools across the nation. This marks the beginning of a transformative 10-year strategy to provide a clear career path into (and through) roofing, mirroring the established apprenticeships in other trades like plumbing and electrical work. As someone deeply invested in the roofing industry, I can't overemphasize the significance of initiatives like these. The skills gap poses a significant threat to the American roofing market, with shortages in both blue-collar and white-collar roles. Without intervention, we risk stagnation and missed opportunities for growth and innovation. We’re right beside trailblazers like those mentioned by Steve. Their dedication to paving a brighter future for our industry sits at the very heart of our People Make Roofing campaign, where investing in education and creating sustainable pathways into roofing are reiterated again and again as being necessary in ensuring the longevity and prosperity of our trade for generations to come. McCormack Partners Roofing Recruitment Specialists RoofersCoffeeShop® National Roofing Contractors Association Roofing Alliance #RoofingRecruitment #Skills #RoofingContractor #Roofing