EDI Spotlight
MAKING the transition from education to work can be challenging, and we need to ensure society can provide equal opportunities to our young adults to achieve a prosperous career. Part of this successful transition will include gaining skills for employment. World youth skills day took place on 15 July and provided a time to reflect on how our industry can support the next generation into the world of work.
Succession planning provides us with a sustainable industry however consideration on how to bridge the gap between education and work is key for a smooth transition. Apprenticeships and T levels can help by combining education and work-based learning but how else can we contribute?
Employers need candidates to have transferable skills which include amongst others – problem solving, teamwork, and communication skills. To help build these skills businesses could link up with education providers and offer events such as work experience, mock interviews, and collaboration with community projects.
Work experience allows us to have the sensory experience of being on a construction site which assists the person on envisaging themselves becoming part of the team.
Facilitating mock interviews and advising on CV writing, contributes to building the skills and preparing our young adults for the transition to achieve that role post education. And volunteer days are a great way to link business and education providers, both giving back to our communities but also providing an opportunity to link up with the students and allow them to contribute as a team and to problem solve.
Empowering the next generation to move with ease from education to work benefits both the individual and business. This investment provides the next wave of skilled workforce providing a sustainable business model and the youth bring with them their digital skills which could drive solutions to improve productivity in our industry.
Nicki Clancy MCInstCES, Managing Quantity Surveyor, Alun Griffiths
Nicki.Clancy@alungriffiths.co.uk
• For more information on the EDI Council please contact: EDICouncil@cices.org
The magpie told me
The magpie is thought to rank among the world’s most intelligent creatures and remarkably is one of the few nonmammalian species able to recognise itself in a mirror test. We know that to see a pair of magpies is a sign of good luck, which brings me to a story and how magpies helped to shine a light on EDI for me.
I’ll take you back a few years. Whenever we were travelling with my kids, Martha and Henry, every time we saw a magpie we would shout out ‘hello Mr Magpie, how is Mrs Magpie?’ This tradition carried on for many years until one day, travelling back from school, we saw a magpie and shouted out our usual refrain. Suddenly Martha shouted, ‘no, we mustn’t say this anymore, it’s wrong’ We asked her why after all these years that it is wrong? Martha said this was because ‘we don’t know if this is a male or female magpie. We don’t know if it’s in a same sex relationship, it may be transitioning, maybe it doesn’t identify as a magpie, we don’t know if it’s married... ’ Point made, lightbulb moment!
The point Martha was making is simple – never assume. It can be dangerous and ultimately prevents us from focusing our attention on the truth and not what we think the truth may be.
The truth being that we are now in a world where the inclusion and diversity journey in many cases is just beginning and that journey will certainly help enrich a company culture, can assist with retention of employees and is more reflective of wider society.
Above all, this journey will enhance workplace productivity because when employees of diverse backgrounds work together, they individually contribute a significant variety of skills and experiences that can allow much broader perspectives, information sharing and infinite creativity. But never forget how the magpie got me started.
Simon Hamlyn, CICES CEO