Demolition apprenticeships are one way to address the UK’s skills shortage, but there’s more to be done
Demolition apprenticeships are part of the solution to the skills shortage, says managing director and founder of Rye Demolition Simon Barlow, but more engagement is needed to bring young people into demolition services.
Many UK sectors have been severely impacted by the UK’s ongoing skills crisis, which has seen businesses of all sizes competitively hamstrung because of their inability to fill key jobs. The built environment sector is no exception, with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) finding in November last year that 75% of contractors had reported issues recruiting skilled operatives.
Given that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicts that 225,000 extra workers will be required to meet UK construction demand by 2027, it is imperative that efforts are made now to attract and retain fresh talent to the sector. After all, the built environment not only underpins our economy and society, but also ensures large numbers of people are able to be employed in professional, well-paid jobs.
A wider pool of candidates will reap greater recruitment
As an integral part of the sector, the demolition industry is well aware of the need to attract talented individuals to ensure its future success, and both the National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC) and its members are making every effort to do so. That doesn’t mean just utilising traditional advertising, or even online websites, such as LinkedIn, either. Real effort is being made to make inroads across a range of education establishments to showcase to young people the exciting opportunities that demolition can provide them, when they are ready to enter the world of work.
Increasingly, you will find demolition companies sending representatives into classrooms to explain what demolition is, or attending university career days to raise awareness, give advice, and inspire the next generation of industry demolitionists, entrepreneurs, and leaders. This is to be applauded, but we now must see such efforts develop across the entire industry. Companies of all sizes have a role to play in this, and we should be advising and supporting each other in this endeavour.
Demolition apprenticeships are one of many paths to a great career
For many, becoming a demolition apprentice is a great way to start a career in the demolition industry, and the NFDC runs the Demolition Operative Trailblazer Apprenticeship scheme in conjunction with NDTG, London South East Colleges (LSEC), and NFDC member companies. The best part is that the scheme is not just open to school leavers, but also encompasses anyone up to the age of 65, allowing skilled professionals in existing careers to retrain.
Demolition apprenticeships are an important part of the career ladder, and benefit both the apprentice and their employer. After all, learning on the job is crucial to skills development, putting knowledge into practice and supporting the eventual attainment of formal qualifications at the same time. While many larger firms are typically front and centre when it comes to offering apprenticeships, smaller companies aren’t as well represented, and efforts need to be taken to help support them in this endeavour. Significant funding is available to support companies who take on apprenticeships. This and other benefits of engaging in apprenticeship programmes must be better promoted to ensure uptake.
Graduates should also be courted for a career in demolition
However, engagement with the higher education sector must also be a priority. The Department for Education revealed that 425,830 students will be taking up a place at a UK university; an increase of 16,870 compared to 2019. This trend is only expected to continue, with UCAS data showing in February that the number of UK 18-year-olds applying to an undergraduate course this year is the second highest on record.
Not only must we ensure more graduates enter the industry, but also that they have access to quality demolition degree courses, such as can be found at Wolverhampton University. Its Demolition Management MSc course aims to “meet the growing need within the built environment sector for professionals with a thorough understanding of the management of the demolition process”. This is a great first step, but our industry needs to build on this success and make a concerted effort to build relationships between industry and academia.
Demolition is important, so let’s bang the drum for it
One of the greatest challenges we must overcome though is the general stigma attached to demolition. Demolition, by its very nature, has an inherent reputational problem. Ask the average person what they think a typical day in the life of a demolitionist is, and no doubt they will say something along the lines of “pressing a button and blowing things up”. This perception is not an attractive one for the many young people who are looking for a career they will enjoy and also challenge them. The reality is demolition professionals need to be astute individuals, who work conscientiously and have the capability of being professionally trained and educated.
That’s because the purpose of our job is to prevent hazardous environments, not create them. This means safely dismantling buildings and structures, removing hazardous waste, and identifying reusable materials. It’s a challenging job, but is often misunderstood by schools and career advisors, and consequently undersold to young people in education. The more companies engage now with education providers, attend career fairs, and provide work experience, the more likely we will be able to secure a pipeline of talent in the future.
Sustainable practices appeal to young people thinking about careers
While the industry is learning how better to promote itself to young people, more must be done in this regard. As the CBI recently announced, businesses must be “progressive” if they’re to win the war on talent, because younger workers are “….more than ready to challenge the organisations they work for… Be it interrogating firms’ net zero credentials, commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, or public advocacy.”
This is very true and to the detriment of the built environment when looking to hire school leavers and university graduates. For example it is well established that the build environment is a large-scale contributor to carbon emissions on a global scale, which might serve as a deterrent for those considering a career in it. In regard to demolition though, the facts are two-fold. Demolition is an essential activity for the delivery of much needed new homes and office buildings.
Also, the industry is rapidly greening itself. 90% of all demolition waste (CDW) is currently recycled, and real progress is being made in terms of limiting fuel usage and embracing alternative fuels. As an industry, we need to make it clear then that we need young minds, with big ideas, who care about the earth’s ecosystem, so they can join us, and progress and improve the work that is already underway in this regard.
Demolition apprenticeships are only the start
Changing perceptions of the industry means businesses of all sizes making real effort to understand the mindset of young people, and addressing their concerns, as well as extolling the benefits of a career in demolition. There is no quick fix to solving the problem of bringing fresh talent into demolition, but if we work together as an industry now, our future promises to be a healthy and competitive one.
