Laing O’Rourke’s Matthew McKirgan on what construction managers share with school governors.
When I became a school governor 12 years ago, I was keen to help shape the opportunities available to local young people. I didn’t expect it would help me to secure my first job as a construction manager, or that my career in construction would be so relevant to my role as a governor.
Governors and trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of a school or groups of schools and their decisions impact hundreds, if not thousands of pupils. Like construction managers, they need to develop a vision and strategy, monitor safety and wellbeing, ensure compliance with statutory requirements, take account of stakeholders’ views, oversee the budget and be ready to adapt to stay on track.
Governing board vacancies
New research from the National Governance Association (NGA) has found governing board vacancies are at their highest since 2016. With the typical board consisting of nine or 10 people, the high vacancy rate means some boards may struggle to drive improvement and provide sufficient scrutiny and financial oversight.
Overall, the NGA estimates there are currently more than 20,000 vacancies.
I’d encourage construction managers to consider volunteering because our experience and expertise is very relevant and can really benefit a school. In turn, it’s an opportunity to apply your skills in a different sector which is valuable professional development.
It’s also a chance to see how fellow governors, from different walks of life, ‘do things’. Most importantly it’s an opportunity to make a positive difference in a community and ensure young people flourish.
To find out more about volunteering as a school governor or trustee visit: www.nga.org.uk/News/Campaigns/Role-of-governors-and-trustees.aspx.
Matthew McKirgan is a construction manager at Laing O’Rourke and a school governor.
