The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB)has called for employers to help provide an up-to-date and detailed snapshot of the industry and its current workforce in the 2024 Workforce Census
Data gathered from the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) 2024 Workforce Census will enable the employer-led body to respond to skills needs and represent the engineering construction industry (ECI) accurately in discussions with government and other stakeholders.
The Workforce Census 2021 collected data on more than 45,000 workers in the industry, and the ECITB is keen to get an even greater number of returns this year. Feedback from the 2021 Census has been used to improve and streamline the process for data collection.
Changes include the introduction of an online survey method for the first time, fewer questions and employers being able to share anonymised files from their HR systems.
There is also a section which includes questions on expected workforce growth, business opportunities by sector and hiring challenges.
Utilising industry insight to forecast future trends
The data gathered will directly feed into the ECITB’s Labour Forecasting Tool (LFT) that was created using insights from the 2021 Workforce Census and data from 1,500 active and future ECI projects.
ECITB chief executive Andrew Hockey said: “The Census gives not only the ECITB, but all our stakeholders, critical insights into the make-up and future direction of our industry and will allow for evidence-based, targeted initiatives and interventions.
“We recognise that the Census represents a significant effort for everyone involved and so we greatly appreciate ECI employers taking the time to fill out the online survey.
“Taking part ensures that ECI companies and their sector footprint are accurately represented in our labour market intelligence work.
“It is the database we use to support discussions and collaborations with government, industrial clusters, training bodies, local enterprise partnerships and other organisations, and helps stakeholders understand the industry to better inform decision-making.”
The skills shortage will be a focal topic
The ECITB Workforce Census 2024 will showcase what has changed since the last time industry provided information on workforce numbers by occupation, sector and location.
The findings in 2021 highlighted future labour shortages, given the industry’s ageing workforce and the recruitment difficulties facing many employers.
The online survey will be live from 13 May until 16 June 2024, with the findings published in a series of reports from January 2025 once the data has been analysed.
