Episode Details

Construction Disrupted Episode 110 - Graduates in Hard Hats (08.04.26)

In this episode, we traverse from government funding initiatives to infrastructure investments and surprising career trends, it's what's shaping the industry right now, so let’s dive in!

MHCLG Announces £70m for Building Inspector Training and Safety Reforms

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has committed £70 million to address the shortage of building inspectors and fire engineers. This funding will train up to 700 new inspectors and expand fire engineering education.

Additionally, consultations are underway to streamline minor works in high-risk buildings and improve fire risk assessor standards. These measures aim to enhance building safety and address skills shortages in the sector.

£165m Fund to Unlock Stalled Housing Sites

The UK government has launched the Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund, allocating £165 million to provide transport infrastructure for stalled housing and development sites near motorways and A-roads.

This initiative, part of the Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3), seeks to revive idle projects, create jobs, and address housing shortages. Local authorities will soon be invited to register eligible sites for funding consideration.

Nearly Half of UK Graduates Would Choose Construction Careers

A survey by MoneySuperMarket reveals that 45% of UK graduates would opt for a trade career, such as construction, if given the chance to start over. Electricians are the most popular choice, followed by painters/decorators and carpenters/joiners. Key motivators include the appeal of self-employment, avoiding desk jobs, and better long-term earnings.

Despite this interest, only 30% of young people seriously consider construction careers, highlighting the need for targeted recruitment efforts to address the industry’s skills gap

Bios

Ryan Jones - SLG Agency

For almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.

His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.

In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.

Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s public perception, culminating in him recently launching a not-for-profit called Deconstruction.

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