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New CIC chairman floats plan for cut-price degree to combat skills shortages

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  1. I’m really pleased that CIC members are getting behind the DEC! programme – the development of the curriculum, training and qualifications focused on the needs of industry for its young professionals, and indeed involved the direct, prolonged support of experienced individuals from a wide range of industry disciplines. For me, the learning opportunities are hugely beneficial, not only for students and teachers, but also for industry – the learning is delivered by teachers and application by industry. It’s a great collaboration, and also enables teachers to keep up to date with the rapid changes in industry processes. Why should universities be any different? I’m sure there are many academics who would really value more opportunities to engage with industry. The model is the same, and I’d be really pleased to see our young students maintaining relationships with industry throughout their university years. Kids studying DEC! are used to industry intervention in the classroom. Why change something that is clearly working so well? I’m all for a new way of thinking post 18…I think it would benefit everyone involved.

  2. The core problem of this industry kicks in once more as we go back to the 80s, 90s and parts of the 00s when the industry needed people fast to meet demand after paying off thousands during the recession. As a former Wimpey apprentice on their structured training programme in the 80s the system worked well, we just need a more sustainable industry. My training took 8 years onsite and uni combined, so a quick fix will not work long term.
    The industry is just trying to survive in the current reality, but we need to work together to change this reality if we are to avoid insanity. Not to mention the education v training elephant in the room.

  3. Great idea! But, remember the classroom is not the best place to learn about construction. You need the hands on approach that some of ‘oldies’ learnt by actually getting our ‘hands dirty & scarred’, working along side trades and seeing how buildings are built?
    As a MRICS,CIOB member, (and chairman/founder of Heritage Skills Training Academy), we all need to look at what we are offering to our youth and existing professionals/workforce (CPD etc).
    This is nothing new thats being proposed? Just different package! Good Luck?

  4. Degree enabling is an excellent proposal

  5. This is not a new idea but the way many of us qualified as Chartered Surveyors or other disciplines. I left school in the early 80’s with A levels but decided I did not want to go to university full time, but wanted to work and study at the same time. I became a trainee quantity surveyor with one of the major contractors who paid for me to study part time for my RICS on a day release and night school basis. In my class at college were peers from both contractors and PQS. Although working and studying at the same time is hard work, the benefits are that you can apply what you learn in class to practical situations, plus your employer pays for your tuition.
    This system brings young recruits into the industry at 18 rather than in their 20’s and firms provide a broad training and experience in the real world of construction, which I for one found invaluable. It enabled me to run projects much earlier than someone that had completed a full time degree and I had no university debt. If firms within the industry were doing this now, the skills shortage could be mitigated without the need to import resources and the risks inherent in that strategy.

  6. As one who did the traditional A levels, degree, and post grad, I think this is an excellent idea. When I started work with a firm of consulting civil engineers the engineers who had studied while working seemed to be much more knowledgeable. What did the ICE do but make it graduate only entry something many organisations followed. Today some universities only teach 20 hours per week so what better than to combine theory and practice. This is the correct way to teach a practical subject such as construction.

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