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Construction is one of the largest employment sectors in North Wales, but women remain significantly underrepresented in the industry. According to the latest data from the North Wales Skills Portal, only 9.1% of the workforce in the region are women.

The North Wales construction and manufacturing sectors are expected to grow in the coming years, with projects ranging from housing developments to green manufacturing alternatives. Attracting more women into the industry is essential not only for diversity and inclusion but also for growth. It is critical to address the region's increasing demand for skilled workers. 

Having worked in the construction industry for several years, Mari is currently an architect with Saer Architects; she said: "As a newly qualified architect, my experience in construction has been both challenging and rewarding. Every day, I get to use my creativity to design spaces that positively impact communities. While the industry is still working on gender balance, there's room for women to make their mark. I'm excited to see more women shaping the future of architecture and construction. Together, we can build a more diverse, innovative and inspiring industry.

"To close the gender gap, I do think we need more representation and support. Encouraging girls to explore the field early, showcasing female role models, and supporting women in leadership roles are key. Creating more opportunities in all areas of the construction industry will help break down barriers.

"My advice to young women considering a future in architecture or construction is simple: go for it! Your creativity, passion, and ideas matter; don't let anyone tell you it's a man's world. Find mentors, build a network, and trust that you can thrive. It may not always be easy, but it's worth it!"

The North Wales Skills Portal aims to tackle this issue head-on by serving as the go-to resource for any job, training, and apprenticeship opportunities in construction and beyond. The platform provides up-to-date labour market Intelligence, helping individuals understand the latest industry trends, skill demands, and career pathways available in North Wales.

"Encouraging more women to consider a career in construction is vital for the industry's future," according to Sian Lloyd Roberts, Regional Manager at North Wales Regional Skills Partnership. "With it being Women in Construction Week and soon International Women's Day, there has never been a better time to address the gender gap in the industry and highlight the opportunities available in North Wales.

"The demand for skilled workers is increasing, and fantastic opportunities are available across various roles. By ensuring that women and girls at school have access to the right information and support, we can help build a more diverse and dynamic workforce for North Wales."

From apprenticeships or entry-level roles to leadership positions, construction offers rewarding and well-paid career options for women of all backgrounds. The North Wales Skills Portal links employers, training providers, and individuals looking to take their first steps or advance their careers in the sector.

To explore current job vacancies, apprenticeships, and training opportunities in construction and beyond, visit portal-gogledd. cymru.

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For enquiries about the Portal: helo@portal-gogledd.cymru

For media enquiries: erin@atebcymru.wales or 07533 514027

A new platform that serves as the 'gateway to opportunities in North Wales' will share live job vacancies, training, career pathways and business growth opportunities for people and employers in the region.

This week, the North Wales Skills Portal, a new online platform, was launched as the region's 'gateway to opportunities'. It offers access to jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities while providing employers with access on support available to develop their workforce. 

Working with key partners, the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) developed the Portal using feedback from employers and industry. The feedback suggested that more can be done to help people and employers to understand and navigate the different employment, training, and support opportunities in the region. 

The Portal addresses this by providing a central hub for people looking for their next opportunity and employers looking to expand their networks for local talent. It makes it easier for people to understand the varied career pathways and skills required in North Wales's growth sectors. Features on the free-to-use platform will include local events, employability resources, and guidance to promote the opportunities available in the region. 

David Roberts, Chair of the RSP, said:

"The Portal is a transformative step forward for North Wales. By putting the fantastic opportunities and support services in one place, we're making it easier for people to access information on career pathways and important tools and support for improving recruitment, retention and developing staff. At the same time, we're addressing the skills gaps employers across the region face. 

"Using feedback from local employers, real-time labour market information, and regional research to understand the challenges in North Wales has been essential. The Portal has been developed with this feedback in mind and in collaboration with key stakeholders such as regional colleges, universities, independent training providers, Careers Wales and other employability providers.”

As one of four partnerships across Wales, the North Wales RSP brings together employers, skills providers, and key stakeholders to better understand employer needs at a local and regional level. They also analyse regional labour market intelligence and employer feedback, which is then reported to the Welsh Government. The RSP encourages North Wales job seekers, people and employers to make the most of the Portal and find their next opportunity.

The North Wales Skills Portal has received £75,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

For more information about the Portal, please visit: https://portal-gogledd.cymru/en/ or contact reesbrown@uchelgaisgogledd.cymru 

The construction industry in North Wales is at a pivotal moment, facing critical challenges that demand innovative solutions. Employers that are members of the North Wales Reginal Skills Partnership Construction Employer Cluster Group have highlighted pressing challenges that they are currently faced with:

• Difficulties in attracting and recruiting talent (including people who are more academic) into higher-level non trade roles
• A need for greater gender diversity across the sector
• An ageing workforce

In response, the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership has led the development of the Inspire to Build programme, an initiative designed to help tackle these challenges head-on.

What is Inspire to Build?

Inspire to Build is a dynamic programme aimed at transforming perceptions of careers in construction, particularly in professional roles like project management, quantity surveying, architecture, and other roles beyond traditional trades. It strives to attract a diverse range of individuals, including women, to the sector while addressing workforce succession planning.

At its heart, Inspire to Build raises awareness of the varied opportunities in construction and equips future professionals with the skills and inspiration they need to excel. By collaborating with CITB and employers, the programme ensures alignment with the needs of both the industry and its workforce.

The programme isn’t just for those who already know they want to pursue a career in construction—it’s designed to inspire everyone, showcasing the exciting possibilities and pathways the sector offers. Each session is delivered by a construction employer operating within the region and includes an on-site visit, giving participants real world insight into the industry.

Inspire to Build also provides comprehensive information on pathways into construction careers through college, university, and apprenticeships, including the Degree Apprenticeship in Construction, which began delivery in September. This inclusive and hands on approach ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can discover and pursue fulfilling opportunities in the construction sector.

A Collaborative Solution:

Developed through a partnership approach, Inspire to Build represents a collective effort involving CITB, employers, colleges, Careers Wales, Education Department across local authorities and secondary schools, coordinated by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership. This model ensures that the programme remains rooted in the practicalities of the construction sector and schools while fostering a shared commitment to its long-term success.

Pilot Success on Anglesey:

The programme recently piloted on Anglesey has delivered promising results, highlighting a positive and significant impact on both learners and employers.

Fourteen learners (including 4 females) from four secondary schools on Anglesey participated in the six-week programme, which was held at Coleg Menai Llangefni's construction department after school on Tuesdays. The programme included an on-site visit led by Kier Construction at their Border Control site in Holyhead, providing real-world insights into the construction industry.

Employers actively involved in the pilot and leading sessions included Read Construction, Griffiths, Wynne Construction, and the Menter Môn Morlais project, ensuring a strong connection between participants and industry professionals.

Feedback from learners highlights the programme's effectiveness:

• They reported learning valuable skills sought by employers, such as problem-solving, communication, presentation, teamwork, leadership and management.
• Participants said they now feel more informed about the types of jobs available in the sector and the pathways to these roles, equipping them with clarity about their next steps after school.
• Learners also appreciated the opportunity to build their professional networks and establish contacts with employers.

One standout success story involves a learner who independently reached out to an employer outside the sessions and has already arranged work experience for the summer, demonstrating the programme's ability to inspire initiative and provide tangible career opportunities.

The Anglesey pilot highlights the Inspire to Build’s potential to transform perceptions, develop essential skills, and connect future professionals with construction employers in their region.

Next Steps:

With the success of the Anglesey pilot as a foundation, Inspire to Build is set to expand its reach across North Wales. For more information or to get involved in the next phase of Inspire to Build,  providers and employers are encouraged to contact the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership: Info@rspnorth.wales.

Explore the Programme Highlights: Watch a video that showcases the pilot programme's highlights that features testimonials from learners, employers, and stakeholders about its impactful outcomes.

Employers from across North Wales gathered at Venue Cymru, Llandudno last week to share experiences and hear from the experts on everything workforce-related – from skills development to managing Gen Z.

The conference arranged by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP) was attended by over 150 delegates, including many prominent names from businesses across the region. Delegates heard from keynote speaker, Craig Weeks of JCB who delivered a personal perspective on skills development, as well as from a panel of experts, who shared views on innovative solutions to challenges linked to attracting and retaining talent.

Opening the conference RSP Chair, David Roberts, emphasised the significance of the event as an important platform for employers to address pressing issues in workforce management. Reflecting on the day, where he led a session on harnessing employee engagement, David wants to encourage a shared responsibility among employers to adapt and innovate in their approach to attracting and developing skilled workers.

David, who has supported North Wales SME leaders through business advisory service The Alternative Board for almost a decade, said: “An important strand of crafting the region’s skills and employability plan was consulting company leaders to understand the key issues they are facing.

“With recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce high on the agenda, we hope the conference helped SMEs connect with education and training bodies, not only to ensure their own growth but to boost resilience and prosperity throughout the region.

“The day was filled with opportunities to receive advice, and from the feedback we’ve already received, the employers in attendance are feeling more confident to look for the relevant support they need.”

Sian Lloyd Roberts, Regional Skills Manager added: “It was great to welcome organisations from across so many sectors to the conference – it really gave us an opportunity to look as what the similarities are and how we can work together to tackle some of the issues.

“We know that attracting, developing, and retaining talent are among the main challenges facing North Wales businesses, so we were keen to bring everyone together to explore solutions to some of these common issues.”

As well as hearing from David Roberts and Craig Weeks, event speakers included Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director at Ambition North Wales; Mike Learmond from the FSB; and Nia Bennet, Chair of Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Specialist workshops were delivered by Dafydd Bowen, Director of Operations at Menter a Busnes and Lesley Griffiths Head of CIPD Cymru.

RSP partners, including education, training and service providers also participated as exhibitors, offering delegates an opportunity to discuss their skills requirements directly with the experts. With insights and strategies exchanged, attendees left equipped with ideas to help move their businesses forward in the current market.

Explore the Programme Highlights: Watch a video that showcases the pilot programme's highlights that features testimonials from learners, employers, and stakeholders about its impactful outcomes.

Attracting, developing, and retaining talent is still one of the main challenges facing North Wales businesses, according to recent research by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership (RSP). In response, an event has been announced to give businesses, industry leaders and professionals an opportunity to explore solutions to overcome some of the issues they face.

At the event, to take place at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on the 26^th of April, businesses will hear from experts about managing their workforce, and get valuable insights into becoming an employer of choice.  The keynote speaker is Craig Weeks, Director of Operations at JCB in Wrexham.

Since Craig joined the company, it has grown and now has over 22 plants worldwide, more than 750 dealers and 11,000 employees. Looking forward to the event, Craig said: "I know that for a business, the workforce is its most valuable asset, and I understand the importance of developing an effective team and the challenges that come with that. I started working for JCB 29 years ago as an axle assembler – I’ve worked my way up and learnt a lot along the way. I'm excited to share my story with colleagues from North Wales, and I hope that what I say can help and even inspire others.”

As well as hearing from Craig, event speakers include Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director at Ambition North Wales and David Roberts, Chair of the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership.

David, a previous HR leader, oversaw the growth of an SME to 950 staff across 25 locations globally; he now runs The Alternative Board in North Wales supporting other SME leaders to achieve their goals. He added: "I'm delighted that the RSP is hosting this event for employers. As a previous HR leader, and now supporting SME business owners in an advisory capacity, I have experienced the challenges of recruiting and retaining employees across a wide range of sectors.

"This will be a fantastic opportunity for businesses to come together to learn from each other. We are all facing similar issues across many sectors – an event like this will give us a platform to discuss solutions and best practices."

A panel discussion with representatives from the local business community and Federation of Small Businesses will also take place, and more focussed workshops will give delegates an opportunity to drill deeper into some of the main issues and get expert advice.

Hosted by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership, the event is open to businesses of all sizes and industries that want support with recruiting, retaining, and developing employees. With numbers limited, businesses who are interested in attending are encouraged to book their place via link.

There will also be networking opportunities and a ‘meet the experts’ exhibition with organisations and institutions that support employers with their workforce challenges.

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Event link: Taclo Heriau Gweithlu a Sgiliau | Navigating Workforce and Skill Challenges Tickets, Fri 26 Apr 2024 at 09:00 | Eventbrite