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In collaboration with the National Association of Shopfitters (NAS), the Institute of Carpenters (IOC) are committed to fostering strong links with construction employers to ensure the successful retention of new entrants in the industry. Their approach includes proactive engagement with a UK-wide network of colleges, member employers, and strategic partners, providing a comprehensive support system for new starters.This strategic partnership enables a broader reach and provides additional opportunities for new starters within the construction sector.To address the individual barriers that new starters face in the construction industry, they have designed a robust support system that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Their approach will be iterative and they anticipate adaptation and changes to be reviewed and implemented in collaboration with CITB. Their objective is to ensure that every new starter receives personalised guidance, assessment, and support throughout their journey into sustained employment. The IOC and NAS will leverage its relationships with recruitment agencies within its network to identify and pursue additional employment opportunities for new entrants. This collaboration helps match new starters with suitable job openings in the construction industry.

The funding will allow STC to build on initial work completed whilst learners are on their construction programmes. STC currently provide the support required to secure employment (CV writing, job search, signing up to agencies, arranging interviews, employer talks etc) but their time with learners is limited. The impact of this support will allow STC ‘follow’ the learners through the first year of their employment to help navigate their challenges.

STC work with a number of employers including Places for London, Breyer, Balfour Beatty, Insight, Aston Group and Kinovo. STC work with several Recruitment Agencies and employers directly who are continually placing their own candidates into work. STC will liaise with them to offer support to new entrants.

STC have several partnerships with local councils/boroughs Essex, Basildon, Thurrock, Havering, Redbridge, Newham, Waltham Forest), 12 London and 6 Essex JCP offices and over 20 local referrers including Maximus, Ixion, People Plus, Probation Services and specialists like Shaw Trust to support engagement of specific disadvantaged groups.

STC will deliver a Matrix Standard IAG and develop a holistic Individual Employment Support Plan (ESP) and Employer Action Plan setting out scheduled activities to support job entry and sustainment for new entrants. STC will engage with the individual to understand their goals, where they want to be in 2 years’ time and how to get there. Employer support will be delivered in line with agreed action plan and include line manager mentoring and management training where identified, buddy schemes, work shadowing.

STC will engage employers on a similar forum and broadcast list that focusses on employment CPD and networking, opening support for those looking to employ, or with newly qualified workers.

STC Learner Hub: Individuals will access wrap around support alongside core mentor and employer activities.

The skills shortage of construction needing an additional 50,300 individuals to join each year (from CSN May 24)

This intervention is supporting individuals from FE into industry to increase from the current 65% and to establish long term links between employers and colleges.

Industry loses 35% of individuals from the early pipeline of interested individuals from FE construction courses with the breakdown as below.

• 15% doing a construction-related apprenticeship.
• 23% working in construction.
• 27% studying other (non-apprenticeship) construction course.

The intervention specifically targets the 23% of those going from FE direct into construction to aim to increase this number.

The recently published Construction Skills Network 2023 – 2027 data shows a continuing demand for bricklayers in the Homebuilding Sector. It is estimated that the industry needs 4,000 additional bricklayers per annum.

The Brickwork Masterclasses will be delivered to existing workers in the homebuilding workforce. This 90-minute upskilling programme follows the success of a recent programme which delivered short brickwork training sessions which contributed to a reduction to defects in new housebuilding.

This project aims to address the current skills gap and increase uptake and retention in all three roofing disciplines: (Slating/Tiling, Sheeting/Cladding, and Waterproof Membranes). This project will deliver specialist apprenticeships and pre apprenticeship study programmes and train skilled roofers to become competent tutors/assessors to ensure valuable skills and knowledge is passed on to students and apprentices

Following market research and employer consultation to identify key areas for support, this project will allow students to experience all roofing disciplines prior to committing to an apprenticeship, to best understand where their skillset is suited and to ensure the apprenticeship is right for both the student and employer from the outset.

The recently published Construction Skills Network 2023 – 2027 data shows a continuing demand for roofers in the Homebuilding Sector. It is estimated that industry needs 690 additional roofers per annum.

The Roofing Masterclass programme follows the success of an existing masterclass programme which delivers short brickwork training sessions which contributes to a reduction to defects in new homebuilding. CITB are expanding this approach to include roofing.

This pilot would aim to understand how mental health education and support can contribute to improved retention for individuals during their apprenticeship in construction, as well as reducing their likelihood of a mental health crisis when in the workplace.

This project will work with 29 colleges to train 464 college tutors/training staff in Mental Health First Aid, 464 apprentices in Mental Health Awareness and provide additional 121 support to almost 100 apprentices.

The Centre is a member of a number of consortiums in Lincolnshire involved in delivering a co-ordinated response to construction training and the supply of construction staff to the industry, working with Lindum Construction, Priory Academies, BESA Construction, Gelders Construction and Site Competence Training with 50 employers engaged with the Centre. All learners join a 12-day employability programme and then participate in a further 4 week practical training experience within Bricklaying, Groundworks and Joinery when they are then ready to visit sites for experience. The learners are then supported to find employment within the network of employers identified. The funding from the ECO project will help support the individuals in employment by weekly touch points in the first month followed by regular monthly communication and discussion of further learning and development.

LBBD is currently going through a huge period of large-scale regeneration across the whole borough. This includes the construction of Barking Riverside (largest housing regeneration project in Europe), The relocation of three food markets (Spittlefields, Smithfields and Billingsgate) to Dagenham Dock, the creation of East London’s first film studios to Dagenham East and the introduction of a new Free Port which will also grow SME business opportunities for our construction supply chains. LBBD forecast that 20,000 new jobs will be created from this regeneration alongside the redevelopment of other areas including Barking Town Centre, Beam Park and Marks Gate. Individuals will be assigned a dedicated construction specialist Job Broker who will conduct initial assessments to clarify barriers and challenges they face. Action plans are then created with the individuals which identify key aims and objectives and include specialist referral points.

"Gement’s main areas of operation are in Essex, Suffolk, Greater London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Norfolk, Surrey and Kent, however due to Gement’s broad customer base, the wider UK area is regularly covered as well. This includes Gement’s involvement with Tier 1 contractors who have multiple sites across the UK, as well as smaller companies who have recently opened new branches in other counties of the UK during the duration of their involvement with Gement.
The support programme will comprise of a series of checkpoint meetings conducted at the job start and running 12 months post job start and include supporting individuals through a bespoke plan, encouraging new entrants to upskill and remain motivated in their job, provide honest feedback to the individual and improve employee satisfaction. "