On Thursday 7th July the national careers service will be holding the latest in a series of in-custody recruitment fairs. This event will take place at HM Prison Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey. With the skills shortage in the construction industry it is a good time to look towards less traditional avenues of recruitment. The accessibility of construction jobs in terms of required qualifications, particularly at entry level, means that those leaving custody who may struggle to find work in other sectors may find that they are well suited to a role in construction which could lead to progression on to further training, upskilling, and even a career in management down the line.
The National Careers Service website is largely bereft of construction industry stories and opportunities, which is something which O’Neill & Brennan will be looking to change in the coming months. Along with the national partnership with PeoplePlus which is expected to be in place by the end of July we are hoping to play a major part in finding gainful paid employment for people who may otherwise struggle.
Another largely untapped pool of potential construction workers was discussed in our blog last week, with the BuildForce initiative to help military leavers into careers in construction management. It is positive to see the industry as a whole moving in a direction which embraces new thinking and new avenues of communication with potential workers while not neglecting the traditional routes of apprenticeships and on the job training. With this forward thinking approach it is hoped that the industry will be in a position to thrive for years to come.