Following the Chancellor’s recent Budget announcement, it was fascinating to see how some of the new financial measures would affect the forklift and logistics industry. Aside from the usual calls to increase the amount of infrastructure (in both the North and the South) as well as the standard review of business rates – it was worth noting another aspect of the budget that flew a little under the radar.
Skills funding for the construction industry has been severely limited during the past few years. It’s an excellent way of getting young people into a brilliant working environment that rewards and motivates them. However, without the funding, there is a distinct lack of opportunity for people to break into the construction industry.
Public support
Martyn Fletcher, a director at Doosan had this to say about the need for increased funding towards skills training, “Initiatives such as the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme and the levy on large employers provide vital support to industry in developing the skills necessary for the UK’s infrastructure growth.”
“However, it is essential that the development of qualifications and apprenticeships is truly employer-led, with minimum Government involvement, to ensure that training remains relevant and geared to the needs of individual sectors.”
“Funding of apprenticeships and training, however, does require a dialogue with and direction from Government, to ensure skills investment aligns with broader policy expectations and sectors of strategic importance to the UK infrastructure and economy, such as healthcare, energy, and manufacturing.”
Importance to the economy
Indeed, an increased amount of skilled workers can only benefit the economy. Better engineering and construction lead to better infrastructure which is one of the key aspects of a strong, working economy. It would be more than wise to consider increasing the funding.
Fletcher also noted that the Government ought to liaise more closely with training groups such as the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board as well as the Construction Industry Training Board in order to better understand how they can channel funding and knowledge into the training schemes.
Increased specialisation in certain growth areas will only guarantee that we are training workers for the best possible jobs. Focusing on the rail and other infrastructure projects will help the economy massively over the next few years.
Training schemes also offer people that were in once disadvantaged positions to climb up the employment ladder. Forklift training schemes can take an unemployed person and give them a well paying, stable job in a matter of months. This isn’t something to be sniffed at and it would be disappointing if it wasn’t able to continue.
Fork Truck Direct are incredibly proud of all it’s staff and ensures that everyone has a really strong understanding of the forklift truck industry. When we first started we only had a team of five people. Since then, the Fork Truck Direct family has expanded to just over thirty-five members of staff and we look forward to seeing it continue.