By Kirsty Connell-Skinner, sustainable construction partnerships manager at Edinburgh Napier University & programme manager at HCI Skills Gateway
THE shortage of construction skills is a major concern in Scotland as we prepare for the challenges of transitioning to net zero. On behalf of the Scottish Government, minister for further and higher education Graeme Dey has committed to taking charge of national skills planning to meet the country’s strategic needs, but despite his recent response there is still uncertainty surrounding future changes to Scotland’s skills development.
With five reviews across various areas in education since 2021, staying updated on the Scottish Government’s stance on education can be difficult. Most recently, Mr Dey delivered a statement in Holyrood addressing the Withers Skills Review, published in June 2023.
In his review, former chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink and current head of skills review in Scotland James Withers suggested major alterations to the organisations that support lifelong learning and skills development.
His proposed strategy entails establishing a singular entity for funding and implementing such initiatives, assigning enterprise bodies a clear task of supporting businesses with workforce planning, and transferring the responsibility of national skills planning to the Scottish Government.
With an ageing workforce and too few new entrants, along with technological and digital changes, it’s important that the Scottish Government considers four key factors in determining the future of built environment skills in Scotland:
1) A unified funding body for apprenticeships
Currently, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) directly contracts with employers and training providers to cover the costs of modern apprenticeships, while graduate apprentice learning expenses are covered by the Scottish Funding Council and the Student Awards Agency Scotland.
In his review, Withers proposes that all three bodies, Skills Development Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council and the Student Awards Agency for Scotland take a combined approach, acting as a single funding delivery entity.
While the Scottish Government has not yet made a decision on this proposal, Mr Dey has committed to consolidating funding for apprenticeship programmes under one roof. Mr Dey is interested in exploring the ‘modularisation’ of apprenticeships, which would benefit those who take short courses to upskill.
There are programmes that do this already – such as the Timber Technology Engineering and Design module at Edinburgh Napier University or the Digital Construction Skills courses provided by Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST) – by allowing learners to seamlessly transition their study into full-fledged apprenticeships as they complete different blocks of training while working.
Merging funding sources could provide more flexibility for learners and employers alike.
2) Community learning review by next June
Mr Dey’s response on behalf of the Scottish Government also included plans for a review of community learning – including youth work, adult learning, family learning and community development – to be completed by June 2024.
This type of learning is crucial in Scotland as it helps support pathways to employment in the construction sector and promotes resilience and well-being within communities. For instance, the Community Learning and Development Strategic Partnership in the Scottish Borders supports nine Men’s Sheds, which help to provide connection and purpose for older men who may have previously worked in construction.
Given the positive impact the construction industry has on community benefits and regeneration, it is important that community learning remains a priority for the sector.
3) A bigger role for business
Until now, most discussions in Scotland about skills have primarily involved colleges, universities, and SDS. However, there are signs this may change, as the minister recently announced his participation in roundtable discussions with businesses to explore how skills investment can better support learners.
This is not just a casual conversation – given the challenges of the current funding landscape, relying solely on public funds will not be enough to bring about necessary reforms; true change requires industry collaboration and adequate investment.
This presents a valuable opportunity for construction skills funding to become more efficient and effective. Instead of duplicating efforts and discovering opportunities too late, imagine the potential benefits of aligning construction industry investments with tailored and timely local funding.
4) No need to wait for improving careers advice
Amidst all of this, Mr Dey’s main focus is on improving the careers service to make it more comprehensive and organised.
He specifically mentioned the work of Grahame Smith, a former Scottish Trade Union Council general secretary and current chair of the Careers Collaborative, in bringing together partners who provide guidance and information on career opportunities, along with SDS Research from HCI Skills Gateway.
Insights indicate the construction sector often misses out on diverse talent due to outdated stereotypes. As employers, Scottish construction companies can take charge in changing and enhancing careers advice in order to secure our future workforce.
To build a robust skills plan for the built environment workforce in Scotland, the imperative doesn’t just lie with the Scottish Government. Industry and higher education also need to create opportunities that facilitate structural change needed in skills development.
Regardless, action will be necessary at government level to implement measures that ensure a stable future for the sector, built on the right skills. The best strategy will respond to Withers’s criticisms and incorporate realistic strategies for progress that consider the current training landscape.
