‘Get into Engineering’ celebrate attempts to tackle skills gap

Robertson Group is celebrating engaging with over 12,000 youngsters this year in an attempt to tackle the construction industry’s skills gap.

Robertson Group will be at the ‘Get into Engineering’ awards ceremony will be held today in Glasgow to celebrate its attempts to bolster the numbers of people entering the construction industry.

Ten pupils will be at the ceremony; five from St Mungo’s Academy in Glasgow and five from Trinity High School in Rutherglen having worked with the company on the development of Cuningar Loop Bridge project.

Once complete, the new Glasgow landmark will link the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village in Glasgow’s East End to a new community green space. The bridge is slated to open in early summer 2016.

The awards are being held in conjunction with Clyde Gateway and the University of West of Scotland.

Beginning their programme in January, Robertson Group has welcomed thousands of children and young people to experience class room engagements, workshops and site visits, all intended to develop their understanding of construction and encourage future employment within the sector.

Derek Shewan, Chief Operating Officer, Robertson Group, said: “Job levels in construction are still below pre-recession levels and have failed to keep pace with work demand. Data from the Office of National Statistics showed that in June 2015, employee numbers were 8.7% lower than in 2007 but construction output was only 1.6% lower over the same period. That’s why the industry needs to do more to attract youngsters into construction.

“Our goal was to engage with 7,000 young people in 2015. And as you can see we have exceeded that target.

“We have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of young people who, as a result of meeting with our team, have decided that a life in construction is for them. And we thought today would be a great platform to announce the success of the programme because the young people in the room are the result of it.”

Natalie Phillips, Education, Business & Community Growth Project Manager with Clyde Gateway said: “Supporting local pupils into careers and further or higher education is one of the key aims of Clyde Gateway and our Get Into Engineering Programme over the past three years has been a huge success in helping to achieve this.”

In 2014, over 15,000 people signed up to UK government work placement training schemes in the construction sector. With plans to build 275,000 new affordable homes, Ministers have pledged more construction work for the future.

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