Abstract
The overall significance of the construction and building services sector
internationally cannot be overemphasized. In the UK, the industry currently accounts for 10% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 2 million people, which is more than 1 in 14 of the total workforce. However, regardless of its peculiarity there has being a steady decline in the number of trade entrant into the construction and building services sector. Consequently, available ‘pool of labour’ is inadequately resourced; productivity is low; existing labour force is over stressed; there is increase site deaths and long-term labour shortage is envisaged. Today, ‘Multiskilling’ has been suggested as a strategy for addressing these issues - effectively utilizing existing ‘pools of labour’. This paper is aimed at reviewing the concept of Multiskilling as applied in both construction and non-construction sectors as a backdrop for evaluating Multiskilling in UK construction sector. Inference is drawn from a quantitative survey of Black Country constructors and the forecast implication of Black Country skills crisis are confirmed. A framework for sustaining a generic Multiskilling barrier – inadequate training provision- is conceptualized.
internationally cannot be overemphasized. In the UK, the industry currently accounts for 10% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 2 million people, which is more than 1 in 14 of the total workforce. However, regardless of its peculiarity there has being a steady decline in the number of trade entrant into the construction and building services sector. Consequently, available ‘pool of labour’ is inadequately resourced; productivity is low; existing labour force is over stressed; there is increase site deaths and long-term labour shortage is envisaged. Today, ‘Multiskilling’ has been suggested as a strategy for addressing these issues - effectively utilizing existing ‘pools of labour’. This paper is aimed at reviewing the concept of Multiskilling as applied in both construction and non-construction sectors as a backdrop for evaluating Multiskilling in UK construction sector. Inference is drawn from a quantitative survey of Black Country constructors and the forecast implication of Black Country skills crisis are confirmed. A framework for sustaining a generic Multiskilling barrier – inadequate training provision- is conceptualized.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Twenty-second annual conference 2006, September 4-6, UCE, Birmingham |
| Editors | David Boyd |
| Place of Publication | Reading |
| Publisher | ARCOM |
| Pages | 885-894 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780955239007 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2006 |
