1. Essex Developers Group Construction Skills
15 May 2018

2. Construction Sector in Greater Essex
180,000 homes planned to be built in Greater Essex over the next 20 years
Workforce
2014
2015
2016
Construction workforce in Essex
60,500
65,500
65,000
Construction apprenticeships in Essex
(as a %age of Essex apprenticeship)
531
(3.6%)
489
(3.4%)
500
(3.5%)
Adult education learning aims focused on construction in Essex
(as a %age of all adult education learning aims)
5,100
(7.1%) -

3. Construction skills challenges in Essex
Perception of the sector in careers advice
Few schools run good design, engineering and construction courses
Lack of on-site experience of construction FE leavers
Hard to pay enough for tutors from sector
Apprenticeship standards awaited
Hard to use levy through the supply chain
College
Apprenticeships

4. How is policy affecting the landscape

5. Action on construction skills in Essex
Promote Design, Engineering and Construction courses in schools
Expand professional Degree Apprenticeship opportunities, such as in planning
Expand outreach and employer engagement
Bid to European Funds for ‘innovation hub’ in Essex
Invest in Harlow College to support delivery of new qualifications in MMC / house design
£24m National Re-Training Scheme - focus on house building and Innovation

6. Discussion points Are skills shortages affecting tender prices?
If so, are they a significant factor in pricing?
Are contractors expressing concerns about their capacity to deliver?
How are you seeking to attract the brightest and best into construction?
Are there any policy or rule changes that would make it easier to increase the construction workforce?