October 2018

Industry News
TRADITIONAL APPROACH FOR SKILLS
Pupils from secondary schools in Glasgow,
Stirling, Perth and Musselburgh took part in a
two-day traditional building skills event held at
the Scottish Parliament on 11th & 12th
September.
The hands-on, practical workshops provided 13 to
15 year olds with the chance to discover more
about traditional skills apprenticeships, and
allowed them to have a go for themselves.
They tried their hand at roof slating,
stonemasonry, joinery and painting and
decorating, expertly assisted by current Modern
Apprentices in these trades.
The event was sponsored by Gordon Lindhurst,
MSP for Lothian. He said: “Traditional building
skills demonstrations are hugely valuable in
raising the profile of the vital skills needed to
maintain our unique built heritage.
“Having attended workshops elsewhere, I am
delighted to welcome the Scottish Traditional
Building Forum and the Construction Industry
Training Board to the Scottish Parliament,
alongside the apprentices who can show off their
skills.
“I hope that by raising the profile of these
traditional building skills in this way, we can
secure the long-term future of Edinburgh’s World
Heritage Site and Scotland’s built environment
more generally.”
The event was organised by the Scottish
Traditional Building Forum as part of Construction
Scotland’s Inspiring Construction programme. It
was supported by a range of partners including
CITB, City of Glasgow College, West College
Traditional Building demonstration, Scotland.
Scotland, Dundee and Angus College, Edinburgh
College and Developing the Young Workforce. The
National Federation of Roofing Contractors
supported the delivery of the roof slating
demonstration.
Ken Gillespie, Chair of Construction Scotland,
said: “The construction industry currently employs
233,600 people, but it’s estimated that 28% of
that workforce will need replacing by 2027,
creating at least 21,000 vacancies. Attracting
more potential employees to our industry to
address this imminent skills gap is one of
Construction Scotland’s top priorities.
FMB PRESIDENT SETS SIGHTS ON SKILLS
Attracting more young people
viewed as such. I want construction
into the sector is top of the
to be a career of choice for young
agenda for Arthur McArdle, the
people.”
new National President of the
McArdle continued: “Although the
Federation of Master Builders
FMB has spearheaded steps to make
(FMB).
apprenticeships more attractive to
Arthur McArdle was elected National
young people, including playing a
President of the FMB, the UK’s Above: Arthur McArdle, FMB pivotal role in the sign off of two high
National President.
largest construction Trade
quality apprenticeships in bricklaying
Association, on 8th September at the
and plastering in June this year, we
FMB’s National AGM and Conference in
still have further to go.
Bournemouth.
“The FMB is committed to working with the
Arthur McArdle said: “I am extremely passionate Government to improve the quality and quantity
about ensuring that we have enough skilled of apprenticeships.”
workers to help build the nation out of the housing
McArdle concluded: “As the FMB continues to
crisis. The skills shortage the sector is facing is
grow, I am extremely privileged to be part of the
absolutely dire and the only way we can
leadership of an organisation that stands for
guarantee enough skilled construction workers in
quality and professionalism in the building
the future is by attracting more young people into
industry.”
the sector and training them to a high standard
now. The construction industry is an extremely At the National Conference, Janet Etchells was
rewarding sector to work in and it should be voted in as the first female National Vice President.
FORCES INTO
CONSTRUCTION
North West Roof Training Group is
exhibiting at the Forces into Construction
event being held at Coleg Cambria,
Connah’s Quay, on 10th October.
All ranks and backgrounds of ex-service
and soon to leave ex-service personnel will
be meeting national and North West-based
construction employers and hearing about
the opportunities available to them in the
North West.
Sue Wharton of NW Roof Training Group
explained: “Here’s an opportunity for us to
reach out to this untapped source of labour.
It’s forecast that here in the North West
some 550 additional staff will be required
within the next four years. Our own display
will focus on training opportunities and
career paths within the roofing industry, and
exploring this market is critical to our
efforts to support our members. “
12 TC OCTOBER 2018