The construction industry has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. It is clear that change is necessary to improve things in the future. We want to have a closer look at this today, including exploring an interesting proposal that would hopefully attract more talent. Then, if you need help from an architect in London, you can speak to us.
Changes
The Labour Government has been working quickly since taking power to help the construction sector. They have set goals for new house building, including 1.5m new homes, infrastructure improvements, and more.
There will be some big changes to help Labour achieve their goals. For example, they are working on revamping the planning system to tackle the backlog and make it more efficient. Plus, they are working to tackle nimbyism, where people don’t want to see new developments where they live.
An interesting new thing here is the launch of Skills England. The new body will bring together various stakeholders, including councils and businesses, to help improve the construction industry. The body’s role will be to identify gaps in the workforce as well as opportunities. In turn it will allow effective investment in training and apprenticeships. The hope is it will attract more people to the industry, ensuring they have the right skills and knowledge of modern practices.
RICS and others in the construction industry are happy about Skills England. They hope it will improve all fields, from surveying to trades like plumbing and bricklaying. As a top architect in London, we would also love to see this kind of response. It would mean we can continue designing sustainable, high quality places.
Earlier education
Another interesting idea from the built environment committee of the House of Lords is to do more to attract the next generation of workers. They are proposing the creation of a GCSE. This would get students interested in the built environment at an earlier age. It would show why it is so important and the diverse array of different job roles that are available.
If we consider the current issue with labour shortages in construction, it is clear we need to do more to attract workers. Several factors mean the UK has seen a drop in workers in the last five consecutive years, including Brexit, retirements, and issues with apprenticeships. The estimate is that by 2028 we’ll need over 250,000 more workers.
The labour shortage is causing lots of issues already. It is delaying projects and increasing costs. This puts a lot of pressure on businesses and also causes headaches for other stakeholders.
Work with an innovative architect in London
Coffey Architects is an excellent company if you are planning a project. We can create unique designs for any kind of property, from homes to public buildings. Crucially, we make sure each design focuses on the users to give them the best experience. In addition, we can look at things like energy efficiency and sustainability.
Beyond design, we offer a number of other great services. For example, we can assist with planning applications and getting projects signed off. Plus, we can manage them for you too. This can involve working with a massive selection of people from the construction industry.
So, if you want to work with a leading architect in London, contact us. We’ll give you fantastic support.