Careers Update
At NFRC we are committed to helping both Members and new entrants to our industry to obtain the skills and support they need to succeed. As such, I would like to update you on some important initiatives and developments. To find out how to get involved with any of the below, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]. England Construction Opportunities project (ECO) Through CITB funding, the ‘ECO' Project allows us to guide employers in England through the entire recruitment process, from the first job advert until your new team member is six months in the role. If you're new to recruiting, or want to improve how you gain and keep new staff, this support means we can give you the tools to make it a success. To receive this support when taking on a new staff member, they need to be new to construction, or returning to the industry after some time away. Currently, we can support employers across England. Equivalent support is also available in Scotland, please get in touch to find out how to access it.
Help me recruit: we can work with you through the entirety of planning and executing your recruitment process, even if you are not sure where to start. This can include discussing the best way to advertise and find the right person, planning the interview with you, and getting a contract together.
Help my new employee succeed: Once you have secured a new starter, together with NFRC you can offer them one-on-one support to make their new job a success.
Help me succeed as an employer: Your new starter should have a dedicated supervisor, and the ECO programme can offer coaching and mentoring to that person. We can also help you draft an ongoing skills and training plan for your new starter, so that your employee knows that your company is a place where they will learn and progress, not reach a dead end. Work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) As part of a project to ensure Jobcentre staff are well informed about construction careers, we are working with DWP to provide them with information specific to roofing, so that they are better placed to help jobseekers into the roofing industry. If you have a story to tell about working with local Jobcentres or unemployed people, please tell us about it so we can promote the great work our Members do. Also with DWP, there is now a recorded presentation on careers in roofing being shared across 20 lower-security prisons (CAT C/D) across England, Scotland and Wales, including youth offender institutions and women's prisons. We are keen to help any Members who would like to help ex-offenders back into the workplace to access that workforce. This has proved to be productive and have resulted in the candidates reaching out to willing Members in their area. From this project, so far five soon-to-be released experienced roofers have been referred to the Careers Service for support to re-enter the sector on release. NFRC Charitable Trust Inclusion Fund 12 applications have been received to date for projects and activities that promote bringing diverse talent into the industry. This could include school or community site visits or online sessions, additional PPE, or training staff on diversity and inclusion. Members who are interested in applying for the Fund can fill out the online form or can reach out to me for further information and application details.
Solar Taskforce: Skills Subgroup NFRC is now represented on the UK Department of Energy and Net Zero's Solar Taskforce that has been established to drive forward the actions needed by government and industry to meet the government's solar deployment ambition of 70 gigawatts by 2035. "As Head of Careers, I am a member of the Taskforce's skills subgroup, to ensure that solar skills needs are aligned with the work of the careers department and roofing is represented." NFRC CEO James Talman also sits on the rooftop solar subgroup. Careers Service website Visits to the website are increasing year on year since its launch in 2021. We are receiving steady enquiries from both Members and individuals interested in developing a career in roofing. New areas of the Careers site will be coming soon. If you have feedback on your use of the Careers Service (including accessing support from our Head of Careers), please get in touch.