Category: skills
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National Grid renews commitment to STEM careers programme
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National Grid and STEM Returners are joining forces for the third time to help more STEM professionals return to work after a career break. The new programme will see roles based across the country and is part of National Grid’s Accelerate social mobility initiative, which has already helped 10 people return to the workplace. The 12-week…
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‘Not just bridges’: STEM programme inspires the next generation
Since 2009, the Big Bang programme has been on a mission to make STEM subjects more attractive to students. It is estimated that the ongoing shortage of STEM skills is costing the UK economy £1.5bn a year through expenses incurred in recruitment, temporary staffing, training and inflated salaries. This is not only damaging to the…
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Construction must ‘change and rethink’ workforce strategy, CITB says
Nothing changes. For years (decades )CITB has been reporting ‘we need xxxx more brikies, yyyy more chippies, etc etc. They are not there; they haven’t been; they won’t be. Construction ‘activity’ is up and down, whether or not we use the expression ‘economic regulator’ or not- it reflects many factors- changing needs, wants, costs, availabilities,…
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Amey joins Multicultural Apprenticeship and Skills Alliance
Commenting on the announcement, Claire Robinson, Amey’s HR director, said: “As one of the UK’s leading infrastructure companies, we recognise our responsibility not only to deliver vital public services, but also to help develop the diverse, skilled workforce that sustains them. View the original article and our Inspiration here
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The 5% Club announces honorary role for outgoing Balfour Beatty chief
Balfour Beatty Group’s chief executive, Leo Quinn, has been appointed life president of The 5% Club. Quinn founded the national charity in 2013 to drive skills development and combat youth unemployment. The 5% Club was established on the principle that businesses should aim for at least 5% of their workforce to be in ‘earn and…
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CITB announces £39m investment in construction colleges
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has confirmed a major investment in National Construction Colleges (NCC) over the next three years. The investment in NCC sites at Erith, Bircham, and Inchinnan will support the expansion of the training provision, increasing the range and volume of apprenticeship and commercial training opportunities available. The investment across the three…
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Rising wage costs are eating into construction’s margins
The industry’s persistent skills shortage is pushing wage inflation while also thwarting project delivery, writes Nitesh Patel. Wages in construction are rising at a faster pace than across the wider economy. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that average weekly earnings in the industry accelerated to 7.5% in the year to February, from 6%…
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Government cuts higher level apprenticeship funding
The UK government has announced plans to “refocus” funding away from Level 7 (masters level) apprenticeships from January 2026. From next year, only existing apprentices or those aged 16-21 will be eligible for levy-funded training. According to the government, the new measures will allow levy funding to be “rebalanced towards training at lower levels, where…
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Girls’ summer camp launched to promote built environment
The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Ireland will be hosting a Built Environment Summer Camp for 12 to 14-year-old girls in June. Described as the first of its kind in Ireland, the event will assist in raising awareness around careers in the construction and engineering sector, aiming to increase female participation in study and apprenticeships. …
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‘A trained specialist is the key to ensuring quality and safe fitness for purpose’
Michael Hawkyard FCIOB: ‘A further remedy a creditor may wish to consider is the issue of a statutory demand’ (Image: Dreamstime.com) A selection of readers’ comments about news and issues in the industry from across the CIOB community and social media. ‘Our main contractor client is withholding payments. What can we do?’ This contract clinic…