COP26 Careers Media Projects Supply chain Contact Contact Menu Expertise Menu About Skanska c Home About Skanska Media Features Mind the gap Mind the gap Opinion: Consultant Kate Headley sets the construction industry a number of challenges to beat the skills shortage I think things are changing in the construction industry. It's different to how it was a decade ago. For example, you can see there are more senior women within the industry. There is also now a huge amount of engagement around diversity and inclusion. One of the things that struck me, when I went to Skanska's event 'The changing face of construction', was that it was completely oversubscribed, with people from all parts of the industry coming along. That wouldn't have happened five years ago. It shows how things have improved. However, the industry feels quite isolated compared with other sectors, in terms of diversity and inclusion. It has survived and evolved over time, but the world around it has changed. This has affected other industries too, such as banking. But increasingly, particularly over the last two years, the construction industry is suffering from a talent shortage. That means the drive for change is much stronger. There has to be an impetus for change. Historically, for the sector, that hasn't been there – it has managed to get by. It hasn't changed as much as other industries. “Improving recruitment practices is important in promoting diversity and inclusion.” Now, we're back to a candidate-driven market. There has been a loss of people because of the recession. There is an ageing population and changing demographic. You can't just go out and say you'll have somebody who's done this job before from a competitor, because the people with the right skills are just not there. However, somebody outside the industry might be just the ticket. Improving recruitment practices is important in promoting diversity and inclusion. If we don't give hiring managers the tools of the trade to recruit objectively and inclusively, then they will take a risk-averse approach. They will recruit someone who looks and feels like them and has the same interests. They will make what feels like a comfortable, safe decision. That is not necessarily assessing the skills of the person. I think the construction industry needs to change the selection process. Many of the job descriptions you see aren't fit for purpose. They are a long wish list. Often, they are focused on what the employee should put into the job – do they have drive, determination and so on – not what the role should deliver. We need to strip back job descriptions, so they are about outputs, not inputs, and then you're in a better place from a diversity and inclusion perspective. Features Share Last updated: 23/01/2017 About Skanska UK Skanska, one of the UK’s leading contractors, helps to construct, upgrade and maintain the country’s buildings and infrastructure. Skanska UK in brief Projects History Purpose and values 51 Moorgate Map data ©2021 Google View larger map Shortcuts Find information on our website. Careers Code of Conduct Organisation and governance Statement on modern slavery and human trafficking (PDF) Skanska pension fund Contact us About Skanska Group Skanska is one of the world's leading project development and construction groups. Our projects Our people Our markets Information for investors Latest share price 23/11/2021 17:30 CET SKA B: SEK 217.0 -0.3%g Skanska AB is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and traded under the SKA B symbol. View the share graph on Skanska Group website Change country Change country : United Kingdom Czech Republic Denmark Finland Hungary Norway Poland Romania Slovakia Sweden United States Skanska Group Follow us on social media © 2021 Skanska Terms of use, Processing of personal data and Cookies - Sitemap cookie preferences Skanska UK Plc, Registered Office: Maple Cross House, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Herts. WD3 9SW. Registered in England - Registration Number: 784752 Your Consent for Cookies Cookies provide us with data to analyze our traffic and allow for a more personalized experience. Please click on “Allow cookies” below to enable or adjust your preferences by clicking on “Change settings”. You can alter these at any time. Change settings Allow cookies