In a poll of 1,450 construction employers, 43% identified understanding the implications of green issues as an important gap in their organisation’s skills base.
Only lack of IT skills was an equal concern. By comparison, spotting new business opportunities was seen as a shortcoming by 39% of employers.
The Management and Supervisory Skills (M&SS) report, jointly published by CITB-ConstructionSkills and IFF Research, highlights how green and low carbon issues are becoming increasingly important for employers in the construction industry. Since 2007, 16% more employers see the importance of delivering sustainable practices.
On a broader level, the M&SS report, found that for almost all the skills areas investigated, at least a quarter of employers were experiencing skills gaps.
CITB-ConstructionSkills chief executive Mark Farrar said: “The results of the M&SS research clearly show that employers in the UK are aware of the challenges currently facing them and the wider industry. The sector is still going through testing times, and management and supervisory skills will be crucial to helping businesses to prepare for the upturn from 2013.
“Through the M&SS research, CITB-ConstructionSkills is listening to the views of employers and will use the data to help shape the solutions that we currently offer to the industry, such as M&SDP funding. We are committed to helping the industry overcome any skills gaps, and to ensuring that our managers and leaders are among the best in the country.”
The M&SS research follows the launch of CITB-ConstructionSkills’ £10m growth fund, which is now open to applications from businesses seeking to develop skills in the areas of sustainability, collaborative working and productivity.
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