The Construction Minister has met with students to explore
the future of the built environment and how workforce skills and supply
challenges can be tackled, at an event in Northamptonshire.
The Construction Future Skills event, at Moulton College, saw innovators and
contractors demonstrate to the next generation how AI, automation, robotics,
and other technologies are changing the way we construct.
Supported by Constructing Excellence (CE) Midlands and the National
Federation of Builders (NFB), the exhibition saw Stepnell, Kier Group, Flannery
Plant, Talentview Construction, Ridge and Oculo, among others, showcase some of
the latest construction technology on the market.
Speaking after his visit to the Construction Future Skills event,
Construction Minister Lee Rowley, said: “Delivering a skilled, vibrant
workforce for the construction sector is absolutely essential, so it was
fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the students to learn about careers in
construction and test the latest innovations at Moulton College.
Their talent and creativity will enable the sector to continue to drive
economic growth and sustainability. This is why through the Construction
Leadership Council we are implementing a Skills Plan with the aim of improving
access to construction careers and showcasing their benefits.”
During the event, industry decision makers and educators also met to
establish how the sector would bring about real change to evolve the industry
and shape tomorrow’s skillsets, while looking at how they can help prepare
young people with the skills to enter construction.
Moulton College Principal & CEO Corrie Harris said: “Our construction
industry is always adapting and improving and is embracing innovation faster
than ever. At Moulton College, we are in a privileged position to help nurture
and grow the sector’s talent coming through, while also speaking to employers
regularly about what their current and future skills needs are – so today has
been a unique way to bring those two groups together.
“We have had inspiring discussion, topical debate, learning and networking,
with high energy from guests and exhibitors who came together to share
experiences and learning around how the sector is evolving and the workforce it
needs to drive that change.”
The event consisted of two parts, an exhibition to showcase new technologies
and a workshop focused on establishing the hard and soft skills construction
needs for the future – while exploring how best to deliver them.
Exhibitors at the event included 360safeVR with their immersive film and
behavioural change programmes, Software-as-a-Service platform for Building
Information Modelling 3D Repo; KOREC Construction and their mixed reality
headset and augmented reality solution, Flannery Plant’s plant simulator,
digital construction solution Oculo; geo-spatial technology specialists Ridge
& Partners; leading regional construction business Stepnell; free-to-use
platform for apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience in construction,
Talentview Construction (TVC); Tenstar and their machinery and training tools
simulator, and Winvic and their virtual reality health and safety training.
