Clearview North November 2013 - Issue 144 | Page 93

recruitmentnews CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY BOOM COULD BE STRANGLED BY LACK OF SKILLED LABOUR Antony Rowe, managing director of Barker Ross Recruitment, talks about his experience of the recruitment market in construction and building so far this year: “The construction industry is improving and I have no hesitation in saying that the sector is back on track. ‘I have no hesitation in saying that the sector is back on track’ “As a recruiter, it is great to see the job market improving compared to the past few years, but we may now be faced with a new problem, a lack of skilled labour. We have to work harder than ever to fill client’s vacancies as skilled construction workers have left the industry or retired and, because of the downturn, the new generation haven’t entered the sector. “We have started to see more permanent positions becoming available, which is another sign of confidence returning, as clients are keen to secure the best people for the long term. We are starting to also see the demand for highly skilled labour increasing for both the civil engineering and construction sectors. “However, seven years of low levels of activity has driven people to seek jobs outside the industry and also not encouraged young people to train in the trades we need. In a recent survey of leading construction companies by industry analysts Glenigan, it emerged that the key fear in the construction industry was the shortage of skilled staff, which 80 per cent of the respondents identified. We need to collectively make sure the industry doesn’t suffer and that these shortages don’t slow projects and push up costs. “I think we need to make construction a first choice to young people and inspire people who have left the sector to return. As specialist recruiters we are playing our part by making sure people know about the opportunities available and that it’s not just temporary work, but permanent positions as companies are planning for the future. Confidence alone will reduce people’s nervousness about the industry and keep the ‘pipeline’ of talent coming through. There are more training schemes and opportunities for people to enter the industry and develop worthwhile careers.” www.clearview-uk.com I AM LOOKING FOR A CAREER! CAN YOU HELP? Sara Wang I have experience of working in the UK door hardware manufacturing industry. My most recent position was working for an international manufacturer in London, as UK Project Coordinator. This required extensive interaction with the London team, as well as with the purchasing department in Beijing, and external customers in the UK. One of my major responsibilities was arranging for the testing of our product and communicating To read more, visit www.clearview-uk.com the results to external customers as well as the company as a whole; this commonly took the form of progress reports and oral presentations. ‘Solid knowledge’ This experience demonstrates my excellent communication skills enabling me to liaise with both the business team and the technical team, bringing them together to achieve the organisation’s goals. I also have a very solid knowledge of products (especially locks and handles), British standards, European standards and the testing process. I have completed an MSc in Occupational Psychology (Distinction for my dissertation on personality at work). Technically, I have been awarded a locksmith certificate by a well-respected lock expert who teaches at MLA. Hence I can pick and bump cylinders and cut keys. 07788584507, [email protected] NOV 2013 93