On The Tools To Launch Construction Skills Shortage Week™

• On The Tools introduces Construction Skills Shortage Week™, a national initiative to address the pressing issue of skills shortage in the UK construction industry.
• The event aims to unite the industry, raise awareness about the skills shortage, tackle perceptions surrounding careers in construction, and support employers.
• Construction Skills Shortage Week™ will feature a dedicated resource centre on the On The Tools website, a comprehensive campaign across various channels, and free assets for distribution.
• The initiative will kick off with the release of a white paper report, followed by a month-long campaign including webinars and various resources.
• On The Tools invites stakeholders from training bodies, government, employers, and the public to participate in this crucial effort.

On The Tools, the UK’s largest construction community with over 7 million followers, is pleased to announce the launch of Construction Skills Shortage Week™, an exclusive initiative aimed at addressing the critical shortage of tradespeople in the UK construction industry. Set to commence on April 15, 2024, this week-long event seeks to unite the industry, raise awareness, tackle perceptions, and support employers in combating the skills shortage crisis. 

During Construction Skills Shortage Week™, On The Tools will provide a dedicated resource centre on its website, offering essential information and resources for tradespeople and businesses. From explainer articles to guide employers through the process of hiring and retaining new entrants to infographics and videos, the resource centre will equip stakeholders with the necessary tools to navigate the challenges posed by the skills shortage.

Through a comprehensive campaign spanning emails, social media, webinars, and traditional media channels (including billboards and posters), On The Tools aims to raise awareness about the skills shortage and advocate for relevant changes to be made. The campaign will highlight the urgency of the issue, targeting not only those within the construction sector but also school leavers, industry transfers, and consumers.

Construction Skills Shortage Week™ also seeks to address perceptions surrounding careers in construction. By showcasing the valuable opportunities available within the industry, On The Tools aims to attract more individuals to consider a career in construction, thus expanding the pool of potential entrants and alleviating the skills shortage. 

Furthermore, the initiative will support employers in onboarding apprentices and new entrants into the industry. Through demystifying the process for business owners and connecting colleges with small businesses, On The Tools aims to facilitate the recruitment and training of the quarter of a million apprentices needed to address the skills shortage.

The launch of Construction Skills Shortage Week™ will coincide with the release of a white paper report by On The Tools, which examines the causes of the skills shortage, assesses the current apprenticeship system, and proposes informed recommendations to address the issue. The report, along with a month-long campaign including webinars and various resources, will catalyse action and collaboration across stakeholders.

On The Tools invites stakeholders from training bodies, government agencies, employers, and the public to join in championing this cause. CEO and Co-founder of On The Tools, Lee Wilcox, said: 

“We know how many tradespeople we need to plug the skills shortage, but you can’t build anything on a bad foundation. We needed to go to the boots on the ground to figure out precisely what’s required to get those people on board, and how we can make those changes. The findings from our report point to the same conclusion - we need to work together to sort this out. We hope that by uniting these key players, Construction Skills Shortage Week™ will serve as a beacon for attracting newcomers to the industry, so that they may see the construction industry for what it is: an extraordinary opportunity within a phenomenal sector, teeming with unparalleled potential for innovation, growth, and fulfilment.”

The ‘Closing the Gap’ white paper is supported by 3M, Band of Builders, BMF, Construction Sport, Dulux, Howdens, Huws Gray, Isuzu, Rated People, and Vaillant, with useful input from other partners and case study participants.

Follow On The Tools to stay up to date with news about Construction Skills Shortage Week:
www.onthetools.tv

Source : On The Tools

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.