The UK Construction Worker Shortage: How NVQs Can Solve the Crisis
Discover how DMR’s commitment to helping individuals achieve their NVQ qualifications is addressing the worker shortage crisis.
The UK is currently facing a quiet crisis, with construction companies finding it difficult to fill vacancies and find workers. Now more than ever, it’s important to focus on training and gaining NVQs.
Construction companies are currently facing a 140,000-worker shortage, which in turn is disrupting deadlines.
It’s vital to understand the causes, how this is impacting the United Kingdom, and what we can do to prevent this from getting even worse.
What’s caused this mass shortage of skilled workers?
It’s important to note that the United Kingdom has gone through two major changes within the last decade.
BREXIT
Brexit was a huge reason for impacting the construction sector as more than 200,000 EU Workers left the country after it was voted that Britain was to leave the European Union.
This was due to strict visa restrictions being implemented, and many immigrant workers had to leave the country and return home.
Studies revealed that EU Construction workers dropped significantly from 42% to 8% from 2018 to 2021.
Furthermore, due to added bureaucracy, customs checks and longer supply chains, the cost of materials such as steel, cement and timber increased by 60% between 2015 and 2022.
COVID-19
The global pandemic was a large reason why our construction industry has a low-skilled workforce.
Many sites had to shut down due to bankruptcy. 42% of employers that stayed open provided workforce training, meaning that a majority of companies fell behind in training a proper workforce.
On top of this, COVID-19 caused mass delays on projects. Without a properly trained and shortened workforce, it was a monumental task for employers to meet deadlines and goals.
How is this affecting the industry?
An ageing workforce is a major reason for worker shortages. With a majority of workers retiring in the next few years, it’s very difficult for companies to keep up with staff turnover.
The lack of properly trained staff has slowed the projected completion of contracts, resulting in shortened profit margins for businesses, which in turn has put financial pressure on construction firms.
Furthermore, due to a lack of employees, wide skill shortages have plagued the entire industry as skilled workers for specific projects have become far and few between.
Why NVQs, Training and Qualifications are the solution
What’s fantastic about NVQs is that the qualification is gained from on-site training. With new employees working on projects as they learn the trade, it’s extremely beneficial to employers, as it ensures a highly trained worker.
NVQs provide universally recognised qualifications, meaning that every worker is properly recognised on a site. These industry standards are a huge reason why the construction sector has improved since 2011.
Furthermore, NVQs and training allow skilled workers to upskill even more, bridging the gap between wide skill shortages. This also means that it provides employees with a clear and concise career path for those who wish to progress in the construction sector.
Why NVQs are fantastic for career progression
A vital reason why NVQs are fantastic for attracting more workers is their clear career progression that anybody can undertake.
Employers are much more likely to hire workers who meet industry standards. However, to retain those workers, incentives such as responsibility and financial benefits are lucrative to key workers.
NVQs offer opportunities for anybody to progress by undergoing courses to improve their skills, such as supervisory and management roles. Highlighting that construction is a viable career path is important to those looking to support themselves.
How DMR Training Can Help
One of DMR’s specialities is helping individuals gain their NVQs on working sites, learning on the job is extremely vital for employers as it teaches a skilled worker quicker and more effectively. Furthermore, it allows trainees to gain their qualifications quickly.
Additionally, DMR offers a service by helping companies access government funding. This allows more construction firms to upskill established workers or invest in new employees without sustaining financial losses.
On top of this, DMR’s catalogue of courses offers a wide variety of skills that can be learnt and invested in both new and veteran workers. Investing in your own workers is vital for both workplace industry standards and the longevity of your business.
To conclude
The construction industry is facing an uphill battle, but with DMR’s services, investing in workers to ensure they’re universally recognised with their qualifications, helping teach workplace safety, and providing clear career progression and funding for both younger and older employees, is a clear indication of how to fix the construction issue.
NVQ Courses are the main way of advertising and addressing the construction worker crisis while also reinforcing it, for the future of the industry.