A partnership approach involving employers, schools, colleges, universities and private training providers could hold the key to solving Scotland’s construction sector skills gap and encourage more young people into the industry.
That’s the view of David McAleese, director of service at Kingdom Academy and board member of the Scottish Training Federation.
David spoke to Project Scotland in the wake of former UK Government cabinet minister Alan Milburn’s bombshell report into NEETs (16-24-year-olds not in employment, education, or training). The report, commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions, warned of a potential ‘lost generation’, with over a million young people in the UK currently not in training, education, or employment.
A lack of opportunities was cited as a major reason for the crisis.
David McAleese wasn’t surprised by the findings. With the construction sector – both in Scotland and south of the border – grappling with labour and skills shortages, he is calling for a ‘balanced and collaborative approach’ to attracting the future workforce.
“There are young people who want to come into the sector,” David explained. “It’s more about understanding and connection. Many young people don’t really see the pathway in and that’s where training providers can work with employers, looking at early interventions from pre-apprenticeships. Working together in partnership with schools, colleges, private training providers, and universities can make a real difference.”
David believes the perception of the construction industry among young people is improving. However, he thinks that some employers feel as though they need to address the issue of skills shortages alone – but that is not the case.
“Private training providers can help to prepare young people, build confidence, and provide an understanding at that early intervention stage of what the industry is, what it looks like, and what pathways are available,” he added. “There needs to be more of a partnership between the education sector and employers. There’s already a lot of positive work happening, especially around apprenticeships. The opportunity now is to build on that, making even better use of those partnerships to widen access.”
Kingdom Academy is a Modern Apprenticeship private training provider. The organisation delivers apprenticeships from SCQF Level 5 to SCQF Level 11.
“We deliver apprenticeships across the frameworks in civil engineering, construction supervision, construction management, and senior management,” David revealed. “We deliver a lot of construction-related CITB training as well.”
Kingdom offers training to both young adults and those aged over 25. Upskilling and reskilling courses also form part of the offering. David is a passionate advocate for high-quality apprenticeships and their role in building the workforce that will be necessary to deliver high-profile infrastructure projects and meet ambitious housebuilding targets.
“Apprenticeships are one of the sector’s biggest strengths,” he added. “That ultimately can help build the skills for the future. But apprenticeships take time and when we’re looking at forward planning, the time is now to start acting upon that.
“Construction is a dynamic industry that provides opportunity to grow and learn. If you pardon the pun, you have the building blocks to enter the construction industry at any level and progress to a well-established career.”
David is the latest professional to add his voice to the conversation around youth unemployment. Following Alan Milburn’s report, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) said it believes NEETs could provide the industry with much needed digital and practical skills. BESA has published a study of the skills challenges which highlighted several areas where the industry could take advantage of this ready-made labour pool.
The NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) also backed the report, claiming its findings highlight concerns members have long been observing. The trade body has been arguing that students must be given genuine, equal opportunity to consider further education and skilled trades alongside university.
Gray Gibson, NFRC policy & external affairs manager, said, “The Milburn report is a welcome dose of reality. While 15% of NEETs hold a university degree, our members are struggling to find the skilled workers they need to keep pace with demand. The skills shortage in roofing is not a short-term blip. It is structural, it is serious, and it will only worsen unless we fundamentally change how we present vocational careers to young people.”
