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Constructing Futures' Conference in April

18 March 2005

Constructing Futures, a new government-funded project to tackle skills shortages in the local construction industry, has organised a two-day conference at Sussex University on 7th and 8th of April. With over £2 billion pounds of major building projects planned locally over the next 10 years, the aim is to bring together all those who can have an impact on addressing the critical skills shortage in the South-East. It will be an extension of Constructing Futures' aim to engage with all partners in the construction and skills sector.

For employers this is a unique chance to hear first hand from people who can have a significant impact on shaping the local workforce. It's vital that this initiative is supported otherwise decision-makers may assume that nothing needs to be changed or supported and the industry will therefore continue to shrink.

Constructing Futures

The conference is planned over two days to ensure that all those involved can have an input in addressing the skills shortage. The first day is aimed at funders, colleges and local authorities while the second day is very much focused on employers, developers and SME's (small to medium enterprises). The conference is being funded by SEEDA and the Regional Development Agency. It is hosted by Constructing Futures, City College Brighton and Hove and Brighton & Hove City Council. Over both days, Constructing Futures aims to provide everyone attending with an opportunity to contribute and provide feedback regarding how the project progresses and how the industry moves forward in addressing the current skills and labour crisis.

If you are an employer in the construction industry and would like to attend this free event, please contact Abi Freeman at Constructing Futures on 01273 696172.

Notes to Editors: 'Constructing Futures' is designed to engage with local employers and advise them of the urgent need for a local, skilled construction workforce. Constructing Futures is managed by City College Brighton and Hove and Brighton and Hove City Council and funded by the South East Development Agency (SEEDA). Over the next 10 years, the scale of planned development in Brighton and Hove is likely to exceed £2 billion pounds. The city currently doesn't have sufficient numbers of skilled workers to deliver this scale of development yet local unemployment is twice the regional average. Clearly, the construction industry needs tradespeople and employers to meet future demands and Constructing Futures is focused on addressing this issue. The average age of a construction worker in Sussex is now 47 and new opportunities need to be generated for young people to access apprenticeships if the local industry is to thrive.

Constructing Futures is about planning and training now to reverse the local skills shortage. It can help businesses to grow by recruiting more of the right staff and offer existing tradespeople opportunities for role diversification. It will show businesses ways in which they can support the construction industry now and in the future.

Constructing Futures is partnered with CITB-ConstructionSkills, Greater Brighton Construction Training (GBCT), Sussex Learning Skills Council (SLSC), Jobcentre Plus, Working Links, Construction Industry Training for Youth (CITY) and Sussex Enterprise.

About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year over 2000 full-time and 13,000 part time students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their education provider. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.