CTS launches white paper at BIFM London Region

CTS MD Bryan McLaggan launches new research report at UBM's offices in Blackfriars


Wednesday 24th October 2018

This week UBM’s offices in Blackfriars were host to the latest BIFM London region event examining skills shortages. Sponsored by M&E specialist Combined Technical Solutions, the evening began with a presentation from CTS managing director Bryan McLaggan on the wider UK engineering skills shortfall. Using excerpts from CTS’ new white paper report, McLaggan highlighted the considerable challenge that lay ahead for the nation during this politically tumultuous time: “To gain parity with demand, the UK would need to gain, at the very minimum, 186,000 skilled workers every single year until 2024. That equates to 0.57 per cent of the entire UK workforce moving into an engineering role over the next six years.”

The presentation went on to highlight the need for a more collaborative approach between the public and private sectors, pointing out how joined up efforts, like those being undertaken at Rolls Royce, are having a real impact on turning the tide to this seemingly intractable problem. Ending his presentation with a call to drive greater diversity in engineering, McLaggan noted successes that the military has had in getting numbers of women into engineering roles: “This has shown that there is a wealth of talent sat in plain sight. Our uncertain future makes this untapped resource now more important than ever”.

Peter Brogan, the BIFM’s head of research and insights, echoed similar sentiments in the second presentation of the evening, which took a closer look at the skills gap within a hard FM context. Brogan showed that despite the huge contribution that support services makes to the UK economy, there is still not a designated standard occupational classification code for FM, making it harder to gather sector specific analysis from the ONS.

Brogan concluded his presentation by highlighting the positive steps that are being made, such as the BIFM’s collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions and its extensive body of research and best practice guides that aim to clarify and guide professionals on complex industry issues.

Following the presentations, delegates enjoyed a networking session overlooking the Thames and central London.

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