Welsh construction industry needs to overcome challenges to fulfil potential

The Strategic Director of CITB Cymru Wales, Mark Bodger, has urged policymakers to tackle the issues that are preventing the Welsh construction industry  from achieving its full potential.

Writing in an article published in Wales Online, Mr Bodger welcomed plans that would see the creation of a National Infrastructure Commission, believing it could provide the impetus to the industry requires.

He said that the potential of the construction industry; the increase in the number of young people taking on apprenticeships and the expected expansion of the country’s infrastructure make the necessity to address the challenges facing the sector all the more pressing.

Mr Bodger commented that more certainty is needed on major projects such as the Circuit of Wales, the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon and the Wylfa Newydd nuclear power plant.

He also called on the new infrastructure commission to focus on skills development within the construction industry.

He commented: “Embedding a strong skills element from the outset in the commission will also be vital. This is because training the Welsh workforce – through apprenticeships, upskilling and attracting people back into construction – will reduce the skills gap and lead to a positive ripple effect across the Welsh economy.”

Mr Bodger claimed that by increasing skills, a positive impact could be seen through a fall in poverty, homelessness and unemployment.

Securing long term investment should be another target of the new commission: “Securing long-term investment for the Welsh construction sector will be essential to provide the certainty that’s required to see the sector invest in its people.”

Quoting Prime Minister David Cameron’s words, he said that rather than delaying decisions, it is now time to “get on with it”.

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