CONCRETE NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP MEETING

Some of the key discussion points to come out of the Concrete NAG meeting were:

- We are continuing to see a labour shortage in the industry, this is an ongoing issue across the entire construction sector that industry is working hard to address. The Skills Summit focus was on building team culture as its biggest effect is on staff retention.

- While government assistance for employers continues through Boost, the removal of targeted support for learner fees through the removal of TTAF funding has resulted in significant hardship for many learners. Coupled with increasing living costs, we are witnessing learners withdrawing from their training due to financial hardship. BCITO has worked very hard this year with learners to ease the burden of fees and will continue to work with employers to find solutions.

- The NAG expressed their opinion for the best platform/collective group of individuals to take an advocacy pitch to government for continued apprenticeship funding.

- Discussion was had about putting more effort into understanding the career pathway in construction and making sure our apprentices are aware of the options following their qualification. We are growing the future leaders of the industry and with that comes opportunity for continued growth in the whole construction sector.

- The Apprentice Leader Group continues to be a step in the right direction according to the feedback received from our NAGs. Always a bonus for BCITO/Industry to hear the learner voice in sharing terrific insights on the learners’ journey from an apprentice’s point of view. Nominations and interviews are underway to search for the next group of Apprentice Leaders. The process will be completed by the end of January 2024.