The group will be chaired by Professor Sean Smith, director of sustainable construction at Edinburgh Napier University. It will gather evidence about the skills requirements and challenges facing the industry and make recommendations towards the end of this year.
The group’s first meeting is set to discuss draft terms of reference with tasks expected to include:
- consider home building skills provision, gaps, and workforce development needs
- assess available data to objectively make recommendations on the actions needed to tackle immediate priorities
- agree longer term approaches that enables industry and the Government to plan with clarity for future skills needs
Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “We are committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes over this Parliament, backed by £3 billion – the single biggest investment, and delivery of, affordable housing since devolution.
“That is expected to support up to 14,000 full-time equivalent jobs across housing and construction. Our short-life working group, delivered in partnership with industry, will help inform the actions needed to ensure we have the necessary workforce continue to increase the supply of affordable homes across Scotland.
“I am delighted that Professor Sean Smith has agreed to chair the group, bringing with him a wealth of expertise in skills mapping. Together with key stakeholders from across the construction and housing sectors, ensure the right skills are available for house building across Scotland.”
Professor Smith added: “Housing plays a crucial role for our communities and the delivery of economic and inclusive growth and the sector is highly dependent on a skilled workforce supply at all levels. As the sector moves forward to deliver the future homes this will require traditional and new types of skill sets. The group will have the opportunity to hear from industry organisations and companies on the key skills and training they require for the future.”
Members of the Working Group include:
CITB Scotland, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, Edinburgh Napier University, Energy Skills Partnership, FMB Scotland, Homes for Scotland, Link Group, Miller Homes, Scottish Building Federation, Skills Development Scotland, Springfield Properties, Stewart Milne Group, West College Scotland.