How mentoring can help fix construction’s skills crisis

Building firms must step up their mentoring efforts to help tackle the sector’s deepening skills crisis, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

It estimates the UK construction industry needs 47,860 additional workers a year until 2029.

“The best builders I know learned from someone who invested their time to support and develop them,” says Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB. “Through mentoring, builders not only give back but also strengthen their own businesses by developing leadership and communication skills, building trusted networks and supporting the next generation.”

Here, we look at what some organisations are doing to attract, train and retain the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

NEET idea

Construction company Willmott Dixon helps young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) develop skills for employment. Its mentoring programme combines classroom-based learning, activities and opportunities to visit construction sites. Visit www.willmottdixon.co.uk/mentoring-neet

Striving to improve the quality of life for those creating and using the built environment, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) offers a mentoring service as a benefit of membership. Find out more at www.ciob.org/membership/mentoring

Support for women

Construction For Women has a network of mentors dedicated to supporting young women as they enter and progress in the industry. This free service offers women access to support for a full year, as well as a dedicated support group.

The aim is to reduce drop-off rates among new entrants and early careers professionals and ensure training programme graduates not only access opportunities but remain and grow within the industry. Visit www.constructionforwomen.co.uk

Focus on diversity

According to Go Construct, which offers resources for anyone seeking a career in construction, some young black professionals and students need more support or guidance to achieve their potential because of the legacy of discrimination, unconscious bias or any racial disparity. The experience of being a mentor can also be empowering for black people, contributing to continued professional development.

The following UK schemes are either exclusive to people from black, Asian or ethnic minority backgrounds, or are tailored more towards them.

The SHAPE Programme for Built Environment Entrepreneurs has a mission to increase the diversity of leadership positions within the built environment. People from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds are encouraged to apply to SHAPE, along with women, people with a disability and those from the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more at www.builtbyus.org.uk/shape

The FLUID Diversity Mentoring Programme is a 12-month mentoring scheme addressing barriers to diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector. See www.builtbyus.org.uk/fluid

The 10,000 Black Interns programme develops opportunities for black people to gain experience in sectors where they are underrepresented. It aims to create 10,000 black internships. Go to 10000internsfoundation.com/our-programmes

Keep on mentoring!

Small and medium-sized construction firms train approximately three-quarters of all construction apprentices. However, with 61% of building firms reporting that their work has been affected by skills shortages, expanding mentoring programmes has become essential to the industry’s future.