Build your own path in the construction sector as industry in expansion has 45,000 vacancies to fill

BECOME hot property in the building business and work towards a degree at the same time.

Despite tough economic conditions, the £130billion-a-year construction sector still managed to grow last year.

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And it is predicted to enjoy a major expansion in 2025.

The reason? The UK has a shortfall of 4.3million houses compared to the average European country.

While the Government’s aim is to build 300,000 new homes each year, only 178,000 went up in 2022.

To help hit targets and make sure new homes are fit for purpose, the industry needs to fill around 45,000 vacancies.

According to the Construction Industry Training Board, the sector is already responsible for ten per cent of all apprenticeships and between five and seven per cent of UK jobs.

Skills shortages

Tim Balcon, chief executive of the CITB, said: “As a former apprentice, I firmly believe in the value of providing young people with the foundation they need for a long-term career in construction.”

As well as traditional trade roles such as bricklaying and plumbing, it must train and recruit thousands more professional-level staff, including building inspectors and surveyors.

This week, industry body Building The Future Commission urged the Government to develop a long-term strategy for vocational education and promote the huge variety of jobs.

Organisations taking up the challenge include Local Authority Building Control.

It represents 3,800 building control experts, who inspect and sign off work nationally.

LABC is offering 15 places for people to train as a building control surveyor at its new academy.

They will receive two-year fixed-term contracts from LABC, secondments to councils for on-the-job training and expert mentoring.

They will also get fully funded vocational Level 4 and 5 qualifications, plus validation to become registered building inspectors

Starting pay for 18-year-old school leavers entering LABC training ranges from £19,500 to £23,500 a year, depending on location.

Trainees can go on to further degree-level study to become chartered surveyors or building engineers.

LABC chief executive Lorna Stimpson said: “We want to make building control a shining beacon in construction, showing others how we can work together to address skills shortages.”

Ezra McKenzie quit his job as an NHS therapist, helping autistic children, to pursue a career in building.

The 28-year-old, who did a degree in psychology, decided to study building control after his mum died and he was diagnosed with ADHD.

He now works for Buckinghamshire Council and is studying to become a registered building control surveyor.

He said: “I always wanted a job which helps people. One of the most rewarding parts of the role is that the work I do makes a difference, protecting people in and around buildings.

“Building control ticks all my boxes. I’m working in a small team, being mentored. I’m not desk-bound and I’m able to help fix problems.”

• Find out more at labc.co.uk and goconstruct.org.

PLAY A PART

PART-TIME staff are considered just as ambitious as full-timers, a new study from flexible working firm Timewise suggests.

Around eight million people work reduced hours.

In the study, 46 per cent felt part-time working limited career progression.

Dr Sarah Dauncey, who led the research, said: “While full-time working is seen as the default by employers, too many people will be excluded from the workplace entirely or be unable to thrive.”

BETTER WAYS TO BOSS IT

WORKING for someone who micromanages you or does not show appreciation?

Research reveals nine in ten employees have had a bad boss.

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HR experts Debra and Ken Corey, authors of Bad Bosses Ruin Lives: The Building Blocks For Being A Great Boss, explain how to handle one.

1. Do not assume they know. Most bosses would be shocked to hear employees thought they were a bad one.

Find ways to help them understand the pain and problems they are causing.

2. They are not mind readers. Speak up and let them know what you need.

For example, explain it is important to hear you have done a good job, to have autonomy and to keep you in the loop.

Be brave and tell them what you are thinking and how you feel.

3. Be open. If you are having a hard time with a specific project or a deadline, tell them before they chew you out for not delivering.

You will be surprised how often they quickly turn from being a bad boss to a great one just by opening the door and letting them in.

4. Take responsibility. It is important to shoulder responsibility for your actions.

Consider the role you have played in how you have affected their bad behaviour, and then do something about turning it around.

Maybe you are not being appreciated because you have not done anything worth recognising.

NURSES’ COURSES

AN app has been launched to provide nurses and carers with free but compulsory training courses.

They are required to complete 35 hours of continuous professional development every three years to remain registered, while care staff are set role-specific training.

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FuturU offers more than 100 free courses, in subjects ranging from CPR to autism awareness.

FuturU chief executive Michael Manuccia said: “We need to stop treating training as a tick-box exercise and see it as a crucial tool for empowering healthcare workers to fulfil their potential.

“This means creating training courses that are free, engaging and accessible via devices they use day to day.”

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk