Skills and training are a key campaign at the FMB and I know that access to skilled labour is also something which continues to affect many of our members across the UK.
Alli Gay from CHI Homes Ltd and the FMB South West Area President shared with me a couple of local examples of what’s happening in one part of our region to address these issues.
Cultivating future talent: skills and training initiatives in South Gloucestershire
Across South Gloucestershire an environment for skills development and workforce training, with key initiatives aimed at supporting businesses and helping individuals is being created. From nurturing the next generation of construction leaders to providing vital support for young people entering the workforce, their approach is helping to build a skilled and diverse talent pipeline.
Building construction management expertise
South Gloucestershire & Stroud College (SGS College) is helping develop construction talent through its apprenticeship programmes. They’re designed to support businesses and create future leaders in the construction sector. SGS College offers two distinct apprenticeship levels:
- Level 3 – Construction Support Technician
- Level 4 – Construction Site Supervisor
These apprenticeships are ideal for ambitious young individuals seeking to advance into senior roles and offer clear career pathways into professions such as Quantity Surveying, Site Management, Civil Engineering, Planning, Procurement, Contracts, and Design.
Businesses can also leverage these programmes for their current workforce for leadership positions. SGS College emphasises industry-aligned training, hands-on learning, and tailored recruitment support to help businesses find the right talent or develop existing team members. CITB funding is available to assist businesses in supporting apprentices.
For more information, businesses can download the leaflets below or contact iain.johnston@sgscol.ac.uk.
The college also recently hosted a ’Women in Construction‘ event, inspiring Year 9 girls from Redmaids' High School GDST and E-ACT Montpelier High School to explore building trades. This initiative highlights the commitment to increasing the intake of girls into the construction industry. Our South West Area President Alli Gay from CHI Homes Ltd took part in the event and spoke with the students about our industry and the great opportunities there are.
Downoad more information
Empowering the workforce through community learning & skills
South Gloucestershire Council's Community Learning & Skills Service provides crucial, free employability and skills support to residents who face barriers to employment or career progression. This support is delivered through a variety of resources, including courses, mentoring, workshops, events, and work experience. The service is funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered under the Skills Connect and Future Bright umbrellas, offering personalised support to both unemployed and employed residents.
The Council is actively seeking businesses to provide work experience placements and encourages employers, businesses, and SMEs to explore new and innovative ways of supporting the future workforce. Support offered includes training and awareness for employing a diverse range of potential employees, considering alternative recruitment routes like work experience and apprenticeships, and local networking opportunities. Businesses can also benefit from close links with South Gloucestershire Council's Economic Development team. Businesses interested in collaborating with the Community Learning & Skills Service can contact Patrick.ward@southglos.gov.uk.
Youth guarantee programme: Supporting young talent
Funded by the West of England Combined Authority, a key initiative supporting young people is the Youth Guarantee programme, which aims to help 18-21 year olds who are not currently in education, employment, or training to enter the workplace. This program specifically supports women and neurodiverse individuals.
As part of the Youth Guarantee, 8-week work placements are being arranged at businesses, with placements commencing in early August 2025 and early November 2025. Participating businesses incur no cost for hosting a placement, and a limited budget is available to cover associated expenses such as uniforms, PPE, training, and staff supervision.
The benefits for businesses providing these placements are significant, including increased staffing capacity, the opportunity to fill difficult-to-recruit vacancies, tangible involvement in Corporate Social Responsibility, and positive publicity. There is already interest from participants who wish to be placed in the construction sector, and efforts are underway to place all enrolled individuals in businesses by early August. Businesses interested in providing work experience placements or learning more about the Youth Guarantee programme can contact Kathryn.Leeming@southglos.gov.uk.
Spotlight on skills at regional construction conference
Further underscoring the commitment to addressing the skills crisis, SGS College also hosted the SGS Business West Annual Skills Conference at its Wise Campus, bringing together industry leaders to discuss challenges and future collaborations to support the next generation of construction learners. With her FMB Area President hat on, Alli was one of those who attended as well.
Is your local area doing anything similar or are there issues you’re facing with recruitment, skills development and training? Let me know.
Authors
Iain Kirtley
With over 20 years’ experience of membership bodies, not for profit organisations and the private sector, Iain joined the FMB in August 2023 from the Chartered Institute of Building where he worked with construction companies of all sizes to support them with training, development and accreditation.
