A scheme to protect jobs in the construction sector has been launched by the industry and government, following the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a plan to support employment across the UK economy.
The ‘Construction Talent Retention Scheme’ is a partnership between the government and industry to secure essential talent in the UK construction sector. Due to formally launch later this month, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme will be an online portal that supports the redeployment of staff at risk of redundancy across the sector, while also enabling temporary employee loans between businesses. The Scheme gives displaced workers from other sectors a route to find new employment in construction.
The announcement came shortly after a Summer Economic Update today [8 July], where the Chancellor unveiled a plan to pay businesses a £1,000 bonus for every furloughed member of staff, they re-employ.
Supported by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), alongside other sector trade bodies, the Construction Talent Retention Scheme, is said to be “based on a proven model to safeguard talent in the aerospace and automotive sectors”.
Andy Mitchell, co-chair of the CLC, said: “This is a great example of what we can achieve when we work collaboratively with government, and we look forward to continuing in this spirit when the proposals and recommendations of our broader Roadmap to Recovery [plan] are published. In the meantime, we will work with our members and industry stakeholders to encourage the scheme’s use and success.”
The not-for-profit programme now has funding secured until the end of the financial year, providing a free online platform for any organisation looking to hire, while ensuring that candidates’ skills and experience are given a prominent platform within the industry.
Businesses can register their interest in the Construction Talent Retention Scheme here.
Other measures announced for job retention and employment
In a speech focused on preventing mass unemployment in the UK, following the huge economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown, the Chancellor announced a number of other measures aimed at job retention and employment.
Businesses can receive the £1,000 grant if they re-employ furloughed staff continuously from November to January next year – paying them at least £520 each month.
The Chancellor also announced a ‘kick-start scheme’, where employers will be paid to create jobs for 16 to 24-year-olds at direct risk of long-term unemployment, with an initial £2 billion of funding committed.
An additional £1 billion was given to the Department for Work and Pensions, which will double the number of work coaches in job centres as well as other interventions.
