Laing O’Rourke reveals ten-point plan to overcome the UK skills gap

Philip Hammond’s Autumn Statement focused heavily on investment in infrastructure and housing, prompting many in the construction industry to question how these projects would be built, considering the sector’s ongoing skills crisis and Brexit, which looks set to make the situation even more acute.

In a well timed response, Laing O’Rourke has published a 10 point plan to tackle the Britain’s skills shortage in the construction and infrastructure sector.

Laing O’Rourke’s ‘Ten-Point Plan to Overcome the UK’s Construction & Infrastructure Skills Gap’ calls for a joined-up approach by Government, industry and education providers to provide the skilled workforce that our construction industry and economy needs.

A key part of the plan involves the introduction of GCSEs and A-Levels in Design, Engineering and Construction (DEC) in addition to career transitional apprenticeships.

Laing O’Rourke has said it would push for the creation of a single construction and infrastructure skills body and greater collaboration to deliver better careers advice for construction engineering.

The multinational construction firm is also pushing for more Russell Group standard part-time degree apprenticeships, and encouraging the professional development of a directly employed workforce.

Laing O’Rourke’s human capital director, John O’Connor, commented: “Our plan highlights that there is a worrying skills shortage in the UK construction and engineering sectors and presents a clear series of practical recommendations to help close the skills gap in the design, manufacturing, engineering and construction spaces.”

Read the  ‘Ten-Point Plan to Overcome the UK’s Construction & Infrastructure Skills Gap’ here.