Attracting and Encouraging a Diverse and Talented Workforce
One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is attracting enough talented people into the workforce from diverse backgrounds to support the sector as the anticipated increase in workload materialises. We are working with members, industry partners and stakeholders to help us attract recruits and persuade parents and teachers of the value of a career in civil engineering.
We will seek, where possible, to embrace and support arrangements that both member and regional bodies already have in place to engage with the next generation of civil engineering contractors in colleges, schools and academies within the region.
CECA (Southern) is proud to have supported The Solent Civil Engineering Employers’ Group, who, in conjunction with Fareham College, is offering an exciting new Apprenticeship programme designed to prepare young people and adults for a career in civil engineering occupations. The Civil Engineering and Groundworks Apprenticeship (CEGA) will enable participants to develop the skills needed to work in a diverse range of construction sites and get paid a wage while gaining a recognised qualification. CEGA will be delivered at The Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC), and the course has been specially designed to ensure all apprentices are job ready after a twenty-week site preparation programme.
We are also proud to have been involved with The Aspirations Academies Trust which has a very successful record in not only greatly improving failing and under-performing schools, but also in developing new, innovative schools. The Trust’s vision is to deliver an authentic education for the 21st century for children from the age of 4 to 19.
CECA (Southern) is also looking to strengthen its university engagement, with initial target universities being Portsmouth, Southampton and Solent, building on existing contacts and developing new ones. We already have a good relationship with Brunel University – see details here.
We are also increasing our engagement with younger members through social media and events. Our Annual Awards recognises our greatest resource, which is our people. That’s why each year we celebrate the achievements of those working in our industry.
Our award categories are:
- Most Promising Apprentice
- Most Promising Trainee Quantity Surveyor
- Most Promising Trainee Civil Engineer
- Outstanding Contribution/Lifetime Achievement Award
- Safety Initiative & Innovation
More details can be found here.