The National Federation of Builders (NFB) says its North-East team has joined the Construction and Housing Employment and Skills Pledge (CHESP), launched in September 2017, with the aim of working to overcome the major skills shortages and gaps in skills provision within the construction industry.
Partners of the pledge will work towards supporting Scarborough Borough Council’s corporate plan for 2032 by ensuring a skilled local workforce is available to build 9,000 new homes.
Working in partnership with construction developers, employers, housing associations and SMEs operating across the borough, CHESP says it is committed to helping to address some of the issues identified in the recent Government Housing White Paper: ‘Fixing our broken housing market’.
A Construction Skills Village is already said to be underway, collaborating with industry and education partners, which gives people the opportunity to learn and develop specific skills, working on a real-life construction site under the guidance of expert mentors.
Industry colleagues operating within the construction and housing sectors have identified the need for a construction employment and skills system. This will ensure that young people leaving education are ready to succeed in the industry. Adults will also have access to the skills and support they need in order to enter the labour market. These initiatives will help to develop a highly skilled workforce which is flexible and meets construction employers’ needs for improved productivity and growth.
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, commented: “We are pleased to be a part of this pledge to work with the Construction Skills Village. Tackling the skills crisis is a fundamental step in driving economic growth.
“We need to focus on training and developing local talent, and by believing in these young people, we will get the best out of them. In return, they receive a long-lasting career. This partnership is a great example of the collaboration the industry must cultivate in order to succeed.”
Partners already committed to the pledge are Northern Regeneration CIC, National Federation of Builders (NFB), York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, Scarborough Borough Council, Kebbell Homes, Keepmoat Homes, Willmott Dixon, Sanctuary Group, Yorkshire Coast Homes, Sirius Minerals, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and YH Training Services.
To find out more about the work of the Construction Skills Village, or how you can be involved, contact Graham at Northern Regeneration CIC by emailing graham@northernregeneration.co.uk.
