Writing in the March 2023 issue of PBM, Editor Paul Davies discusses the sector’s recruitment challenge and focuses on the advangtages of apprenticeships.
As we have discussed many times before in the pages of PBM (and do so again in this issue), the construction industry is undeniably facing a skills shortage on both sides of the trade counter. There are myriad, systemic reasons for this but in simple terms, an increasing age profile — most notably of trade professionals — combines with a longstanding ‘image problem’ when it comes to presenting the sector as an appealing career path for new recruits.
It has therefore once again been especially encouraging to see the amount of attention in and around the merchant industry given to this year’s recent National Apprenticeship Week. Taking place in early February, social media channels of all stripes have been ablaze with activity, highlighting the various initiatives and training programmes aimed at nurturing the all-too-often hidden talent of new starters and existing colleagues alike.
Of course, such initiatives are no magic bullet and cannot operate in isolation from broader training schemes or other ongoing recruitment drives. However, the focus it does provide should be seen an essential shop window opportunity for proactive marketing to sell the very nature of the merchant sector itself.
“National Apprenticeship Week should be seen an essential shop window opportunity for proactive marketing to sell the very nature of the merchant sector itself.”
And to its credit, this is precisely what great swathes of merchants, suppliers, service providers and trade groups have been doing. Searching LinkedIn or Twitter using hashtags such as #naw23 or #nationalapprenticeshipweek2023 doesn’t just present some tokenistic chatter, but really shows the best the sector can be — showcasing the breadth of the career paths available, the value placed on those who work within it and, most importantly, the benefits to be gained both by candidate and business alike.
For example, MKM has ambitious plans to increase its already successful apprenticeship programme with a goal of having “at least 125 colleagues in apprenticeships at any one time” — equating to some 5% of the firm’s employees. As Learning and Development Business Partner Kerry Hunt succinctly says: “By investing in apprenticeships and promoting ongoing training opportunities for our existing employees, we ensure our staff are given the best opportunities to advance and develop their careers — and are staying true to our promise to deliver top quality service to our customers.”
And it must also be stressed that apprenticeships are not just for first-steppers on the job ladder. Having joined the business from the banking sector in 2019, David Hood, Category Assistant at CCF, has just completed his Commercial Awareness Foundation apprenticeship to become the Travis Perkins Group’s 1,000th apprentice graduate following the introduction of the apprenticeship levy and reforms in 2017.
“The programme has massively developed my business skills, enabled me to do more for our customers and I enjoyed learning with colleagues from across the group,” said David. “No matter age or profession, I would absolutely recommend taking up the opportunity to do an apprenticeship.”
Cover story: MKM is developing plans to expand its already successful apprenticeship programme. Pictured on the cover of our March 2023 issue is Customer Service Apprentice Rennah Banks.
Top 20 Merchants
PBM is currently compiling statistics for our latest annual Top 20 merchant countdown, based on the turnover figures of the sector’s largest businesses and set to appear in the April 2023 edition of the magazine.
To present a truly accurate benchmark for the industry and to ensure our statistics are as up-to-date as possible, we are reaching out to merchant firms for the details. If your organisation is a potential ‘Top 20 merchant’, please visit https://professionalbuildersmerchant.co.uk/news/pbm-top-20-merchants-countdown-2022-information-request/ to complete the short survey on our website or email pbm@hamerville.co.uk for further details.
