SummitSkills and BSRIA are to conduct comprehensive research to develop accurate statistics on the sector's skills and requirements.
A new nationwide research project that will provide the building services sector with its first truly comprehensive workforce data on current skills and future requirements has been launched by SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council, in partnership with BSRIA.

The Government's Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESA) template defines criteria for labour market analysis which will, when interpreted in terms of the building services sector, ascertain:

  • what opportunities and barriers exist to meeting the employment and skills needs of the sector;
  • what the current weaknesses and strengths of the industry are;
  • what is happening or predicted to happen that may have particular relevance for the sector.

The results of the ongoing studies will be used to produce training and recruitment strategies for the building services industry, with the aim of improving productivity and business performance.

To kick-start the project a brochure has been distributed across the sector, which introduces the research programme and asks for employer participation.

Simon Bartley, chair of the SummitSkills Implementation Group said: "A research project of this size and structure is a first for the sector. In order to get the most accurate and authoritative results, we are hoping that as many organisations as possible work with us and BSRIA to gather the data we need.

"This is the first example of how all the trades covered under the building services umbrella can work in partnership as SummitSkills."

Visit www.summitskills.org.uk.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor