AUDIO NEWS: Building industry needs to engage youngsters earlier and Screwfix Live opens its doors

Construction industry needs to engage youngsters to solve the skills crisis, tradespeople win work by offering 'green' services and finalists for the Tradesperson of the Year head to Screwfix Live

The construction industry needs to engage young people earlier, if it is to solve the skills crisis.

Speaking on a podcast with the Federation of Master Builders, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for infrastructure, Mike Reader MP suggested introducing a GCSE for the built environment and launching a national recruitment campaign to address the skills shortage.

The Labour MP for Northampton South also threw his support behind the idea of a ‘builder’s licence’ to boost consumer protection, and elevate recognition of skilled tradespeople.

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More than half of builders and tradespeople are winning work by offering services linked to sustainability — that’s according to Jewson’s Trade Trends report.

With sustainability emerging as a mainstream business driver, three in five tradespeople said they planned to either start or continue sustainability training.

Nearly 70% of those surveyed claimed they were motivated to start training because they wanted to ‘keep up with the times’, while 37% said it would help them win work.

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The finalists of the Tradesperson of the Year competition will be gathering at Screwfix Live in Farnborough this weekend.

Two electricians, three plumbing and heating engineers, and one painter and decorator have made it to the final of the annual competition.

The winner of the final will pick up a prize bundle of tools, tech and training worth £20,000.

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To listen to the construction news please click below.