Research by skills body City & Guilds predicts a huge lack of qualified personnel in sectors as diverse as construction, nursing, teaching and call centres until 2020.

The current skills shortages plaguing a range of sectors from the construction industry to nursing, teaching and specialist call centre operations are set to continue and could get even worse over the next 15 years. These are the findings of Rare Species 1, a new report by City & Guilds.

However, while nurses and teachers will become even more difficult to find, the current shortage of tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians could be averted over time by attractive pay and work/life benefits.

Although there will continue to be a short-term gap, pay rises for electricians, such as those implemented under the Major Projects Agreement at Heathrow T5, will entice an influx of fresh applicants and career changers, helping to raise the profile of the trades and contribute to their longer-term future. However, the government’s drive to build more houses will increase the pressure to find experienced builders, who are likely to remain in scarce supply.

Chris Humphries, director general of City & Guilds, comments: “The UK workforce is set to evolve over the next 15 years. Talent retention as well as recruitment will become a key issue that employers need to address in order to safeguard future employees. Quality and not quantity of staff will be critical in meeting tomorrow’s skills needs.

“Working culture will be very important. Employees will be motivated by jobs with a positive work/life balance and good training opportunities. This is where vocational jobs will flourish.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor