A crisis summit has been organised in Tyne & Wear, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, because a shortage of 1700 skilled workers could threaten the region’s ability to hit the decent homes target.

A survey of contractors undertaken by arm’s-length management organisation Your Homes Newcastle found a likely skills gap that would jeopardise the area’s £2bn decent homes programme.

The ALMO enlisted the Northern Housing Consortium to coordinate a summit on 7 February where the region’s key organisations can hammer out possible solutions.

Bill Midgley, chair of Your Homes Newcastle, said it was vital to act before it was too late: “There is a real possibility we might not be able to meet the [decent homes] objectives if the skills aren’t available. If there is nobody to deliver for us, we have got a problem. We are trying to make things happen.”

The region has a shortage of skilled workers right across the construction industry, including in joinery, plumbing and electronics.

Those attending the summit will include councils, ALMOs and registered social landlords, along with education bodies and government employment agencies, such as the Learning Skills Council.

Representatives of the building trade, including the Construction Industry Training Board, are also likely to participate.

Source

Housing Today