The Forum, a collaboration between Construction Scotland, industry partners, the Scottish Government and other industry stakeholders, is issuing a comprehensive survey questionnaire to employers, designers, engineers, educators and construction and supply chain operatives.

The survey, which seeks views about college, university and training providers, is aimed at gaining a better understanding of any gaps in provision as well as highlighting quality and best practice within training courses across Scotland.

It will aim to inform the Action Plan which the Forum is developing as part of its Construction Recovery Plan, which will help the industry to Rebuild Better as well as, in the longer term, transforming the sector to build a stronger, fairer and greener economic future.

Kirsty Duncan, future skills co-ordinator at Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, said: “As well as having a pipeline of work in the industry, it is vitally important that we also have a pipeline of skills coming through to make the sector sustainable.

“Skills shortages have been a recurring issue in construction and, by asking through this survey the views of those who operate in the industry, we want to be able to build up a picture of what approaches are working and what training initiatives need attention.

“I would ask everyone who has an interest in the future of the sector, which is such a vital part of the economy, to take part in the survey. Their input will help us map cross-industry activities around skills and training to aid good practice and collaboration and to minimise duplication.”

The survey seeks answers about:

• the clarity of paths for progression;
• the effectiveness of industry engagement in programmes;
• the relevance of programmes;
• the fitness for purpose of current training provision portfolios;
• the scope for improvement.

Aware that the construction industry in Scotland has been particularly badly affected by the Covid pandemic, the Forum has developed its Recovery Plan to be dynamic and to respond to the uncertainties ahead.