Ali Humberstone, business development manager with Job Centre Plus, said the amount of construction work in London meant job centres needed to link up their efforts to fill construction vacancies.
"There is a need to co-ordinate the large number of construction vacancies in London and get the right person placed in the right job," she said. "I work at the £300m Paddington Basin redevelopment and may not have anyone appropriate for a certain vacancy on this database. But the database in Southwark, for example, may have the perfect candidate. As a result of this service we can fill more vacancies with more appropriate people."
All those registered at London job centres as looking for construction work will go onto the database and the service will be advertised. "The service is for anyone interested in working in construction," said Humberstone. "We are also hoping to attract those from disadvantaged backgrounds - former prisoners, for example - as part of the Government's Welfare to Work scheme."
Humberstone added that experience in construction wasn't necessary as those who required training would be directed towards one of the training providers signed up to the scheme. Those already in employment could also register.
"The database will keep a record of work for the people on it," said Humberstone, "and will act as a work passport. We get comments back from employers, so if someone has done a good job on one project, they can use that to get their next job." The database will also keep a record of who has a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card.
However, Chris Chivers, managing director of London-based contractor Killby & Gayford, said the service wouldn't be of benefit to him. "We don't have too much trouble recruiting because we pay people decent wages and offer them training and career development. But we don't do massive jobs. I can see it being of benefit on a large scheme such as Paddington Basin."
It is possible the scheme could be extended to other regions if it is successful in London, but Humberstone said a nationwide scheme would be very difficult to maintain.
Source
Construction Manager
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