Building Materials Careers Programme Aims to Attract 1 Million New Recruits to the Sector by 2025

Strategic Insights -

The Building Materials Careers programme, led by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), aims to attract new talent to the sector, which is expected to need increased amounts of building materials to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes. Launched early this year, the initiative is the culmination of over two years of cross-industry collaboration and targets school leavers, trainees, Armed Forces veterans, and career changers to attract the diversity of skills needed for the future success of the sector. The campaign, which centers around the message of 'Make A Material Difference', showcases the opportunities in the sector and includes details of vacancies on its dedicated website, bmcareers.com. To highlight the career paths available, BMF members have shared their own experiences and career journeys on the website, providing a window into the opportunities available.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Building Materials Careers programme aims to attract 1 million new recruits to the sector by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for new skills in vital areas such as sustainability, innovation, and productivity.
  • The initiative targets school leavers, trainees, Armed Forces veterans, and career changers to fill the talent gap in the sector, which is expected to need increased amounts of building materials to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes.
  • The campaign, 'Make A Material Difference', has received endorsements from prominent industry leaders, including John Carter, CEO of STARK Building Materials UK Ltd, and John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF.
  • The programme builds on the BMF's successful Apprenticeship Pledge, which exceeded its target of securing 15,000 apprenticeship places within the sector by 2030, five years ahead of schedule.
  • Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP, has acknowledged the initiative as helpful in addressing the skills and workforce challenge in the construction sector.

Statistics:

  • The sector is expected to need increased amounts of building materials, including bricks, mortar, plasterboard, and fixings, to meet the government's pledged 1.5 million homes.
  • The sector is a £51 billion industry in the UK, with over 1,000 companies collaborating to tackle recruitment challenges.
  • The BMF's Apprenticeship Pledge has secured over 15,000 apprenticeship places within the sector to date.
  • The campaign aims to attract 1 million new recruits to the sector by 2025, highlighting the urgent need for new skills in vital areas.
  • The dedicated website, bmcareers.com, includes details of vacancies in the sector and showcases the career paths available in the sector.

Sources:

  • [Source 1: Builders Merchants Federation (BMF)]
  • [Source 2: STARK Building Materials UK Ltd]
  • [Source 3: Minister of State for Industry, Sarah Jones MP]
  • [Source 4: Government of the United Kingdom]
  • [Source 5: Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) Apprenticeship Pledge]