To mark National Mentoring Month this January, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is calling on construction firms to step up their mentoring efforts to help address skills gaps.
With figures from the Construction Industry Training Board indicating that the sector will need an additional 239,300 workers by 2029, there is an urgent need to attract, train and retain the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
Currently, SME construction firms train approximately three-quarters of all construction apprentices, according to the FMB.
However, the organisation believes that with 61% of building firms reporting their work has been affected by skills shortages, expanding mentoring programmes has become essential to the industry’s future.
Brian Berry, the FMB’s chief executive, said: “Mentoring has always been at the heart of how our industry passes on skills and values. The best builders I know learned from someone who invested their time to support and develop them.
“As we face an ongoing skills shortage, creating opportunities for experienced tradespeople to mentor others isn’t just good for individual building companies, it’s essential for the future of construction.
“Through mentoring, builders not only give back but also strengthen their own businesses by developing leadership and communication skills, building trusted networks and supporting the next generation.”
