Page 38 - Regional Employment & Skills Plan

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3.2.2 Primary Research Analysis
Response Profile for Construction
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Small Regional
Challenges and Drivers of Change and Demand
Micro SBCR GMW
Medium
Large
The most significant challenge reported by those employers engaged with is sourcing a suitably trained workforce and quality labour. This lack of access to desired individuals exacerbates other challenges such as securing work and ensuring that work is completed in line with client expectations.
Recruitment is noted as a challenge for the majority of businesses, underpinned by a lack of fit for purpose training provision;
‘Recruitment so that our organisation is sustainable for future needs. The Construction sector is diverse and training and qualification needs need to be fit for purpose.’
This diversity is due in part to the increasing demand for the use of new materials and methods, suggesting that training may become out of date if it is not updated as and when these advancements occur. Securing work of a high value is also reported as being a significant challenge for some businesses; this is worsened by tendering and procurement processes.
‘Securing work is proving ever difficult due to aggressive and competitive tendering by other contractors. Constant procurement hurdles we have to jump through - P.Q.Q. documents and questions being asked which would have been covered by squib document.’
Additional challenges cited include the amount of paperwork and health and safety considerations to take into account before commencing work when it is acquired. These factors are of course dependent on successful planning applications and project funding; both of which are factors noted as further challenges for some. Furthermore, external factors such as the housing market can have a substantial effect on businesses within the Construction industry. This is coupled with influences such as; wage inflation, material inflation, competition and credit control.
Additionally, ‘Government protocols i.e. B.I.M, changes to current legislation in terms of H.S.E, ISO management and quality standards’ these can all have significant effects on the way a business operates and are all considerations for companies operating within this sector.
Regional Employment & Skills Plan South West & Mid Wales Sector Profiles