In February 2016, Cast CEO, Mark Farmer, was commissioned by the Construction Leadership Council, at the request of Brandon Lewis and Nick Boles (the ministers for Housing & Planning & Skills respectively at that time) to undertake a review of the UK’s construction labour model. The review was asked to focus on areas as follows:-
- Evidence of how the construction labour model and recruitment practices impact on incentives for skills development in the sector (including in the supply chain) and on the introduction of more novel techniques such as off-site construction.
- What business models and other arrangements could better support skills and skills pipelines in the sector?
- What measures could improve wider incentives for capacity investment and the introduction of new ways of working?
- What are the barriers and enablers to greater use of off-site construction?
- How could the range of participants in the UK housing market be broadened, including through the better introduction of institutional funds?
The construction industry is in dire need of change. What is clear to me following the nine months spent conducting this review is that carrying on as we are is simply not an option.
Mark Farmer, report author and chief executive of Cast
The report established key changes required to preserve and develop the industry, including the reformation of training courses provided by CITB to produce more digitally-skilled workers and improved symmetry between clients, government and industry bodies to increase investments in research, development and pre-manufactured construction approaches.
This review is intended to provoke debate as to the current and likely future state of the industry and identifies the urgent actions needed to lead a change agenda that will safeguard the industry’s future. If you would like to discuss any of the issues contained herein, please contact mark.farmer@cast-consultancy.com.
Read Farmer Review press release
Information acquired from the Government.
