CIPS PMI comment: Construction needs to embrace diversity

04 March 2022

Fraser Johns, finance director at Beard said: “Despite some bumps in the road, the construction sector continues to recover and there is hope that the future looks bright.

“The highest rise in order books for six months confirms that client confidence is building and there are opportunities for construction firms.

“There are still hurdles to overcome – namely inflation, labour shortages and lead in times - but by working closely with both customers and supply chains, the volatility in the market can be overcome.

“The vacancies in the construction sector also present an opportunity to increase diversity. With labour shortages impacting across the board, more needs to be done to encourage people into the sector.

“The industry needs to create an inclusive environment that makes a career in construction appealing to people who might not otherwise have considered it as an option.

“At Beard we are committed to improving diversity in construction, and our policies, procedures, and ways of working are all aimed at attracting the best people for the job.

“We’re also taking a proactive approach to bringing in younger people. We’ve worked with City of Bristol College to develop the Advanced Construction Skills Centre, which we believe will play a vital role in bringing forward a new generation of skilled workers. It is a purpose-built annexe to the South Bristol Skills Academy in Hengrove that provides state-of-the-art facilities and training.”