Recruiting talented building control professionals is key to industry success, as outlined here by Paul Wilkins, Chief Executive at Butler and Young Group
One of the biggest challenges the construction sector faces is the attraction and development of young people into our industry. This is particularly challenging for niche disciplines such as Building Control.
At Butler & Young Approved Inspectors a central part of our 2015 business plan identified the recruitment of suitably experienced and qualified building control professionals as a factor with the potential to limit our growth.
As a response, we implemented a training strategy to underpin the development of our existing part qualified staff and to attract new young people into the profession. We appointed a Technical & Training Manager with responsibility for overseeing all aspects of our training and support with the aim of individuals achieving full membership of CABE, RICS or CIOB.
In the first year, we recruited six trainees placed across our network of regional offices. Four of the six were brand new to the industry with two mid-way through their construction studies.
The key to our strategy was for trainees studying up to degree level to have a nominated training supervisor. The supervisor provides support and guidance on choosing appropriate courses of study and develops a training matrix to monitor and record progress. We also hold regular ‘Training Days’ to provide bespoke training and to build supportive relationships with trainees and regular reviews of progress with their training supervisor and manager.
The strategy has thus far proved successful with all trainees completing formal HNC qualifications and moving on to study higher qualifications. After two years of training, they have proven to be valuable members of project delivery teams supporting project managers and managing some simple projects of their own under the full supervision of their training supervisors.
“The construction industry is constantly changing. Designers have to become more ambitious, ways of working are being updated, and sustainability is something which cannot be ignored. I, for one, am excited to have the opportunity to be part of it” Gary Blake, Trainee Building Control Surveyor.
Support is also provided to surveyors who have completed their degree and have embarked on their professional assessment programme for their chosen professional body. Our Technical and Training Manager acts as a counsellor for all of our surveyors completing their professional qualifications.
The success of this programme has led Butler & Young to continue its investment in recruiting new people into our industry.
Paul Wilkins
Chief Executive
Butler and Young Group
chairman@approvedinspectors.org.uk
