{"id":15711,"date":"2021-02-18T12:26:22","date_gmt":"2021-02-18T12:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wilsonjames.co.uk\/?post_type=blog&p=15711"},"modified":"2022-12-13T14:28:09","modified_gmt":"2022-12-13T14:28:09","slug":"15711","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wilsonjames.co.uk\/blog\/15711","title":{"rendered":"10 years on and still a force to be reckoned with"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201c<\/span><\/i><\/b>This week at\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>BuildForce<\/span><\/i><\/b>, we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our formation. That\u2019s 10 years since we began helping service leavers and veterans to embark on new careers in the construction sector. As\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>BuildForce<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0programme director at Wilson James, I\u2019ve seen first-hand how this initiative makes a huge difference to the individuals and companies we have engaged with, and how it is going from strength to strength.<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Caroline Logan, BuildForce<\/span>\u00a0Programme Director<\/span>
\n\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the last few\u00a0weeks\u00a0I\u2019ve been reflecting on the success of\u00a0BuildForce\u00a0during the 10 years since it launched \u2013 what we\u2019ve achieved and the difference we have made to ex-forces personnel and construction organisations across the UK.\u00a0 Having an established framework that engages with and understands an individual\u2019s needs and capabilities is what underpins the successful achievements of\u00a0BuildForce\u00a0to this day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Supply and demand<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also thanks to the sheer determination of six forward thinking companies \u2013 Wilson James, Carillion, Crossrail, Ernst & Young, Lendlease, Morgan Sindall and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) that\u00a0BuildForce\u00a0was conceived.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Service leavers and veterans have personal attributes that make them ideal for the world of construction \u2013 their ability to work as a team in arduous conditions, attention to detail, excellent communication skills, punctuality, a \u2018can-do\u2019 attitude and a willingness to work long hours, whilst remaining calm and focused under pressure. It is estimated that the construction sector will need to recruit and train 158,000 workers between 2018-2022 to meet demand, and with 20,000 soldiers, sailors and aircrew leaving the armed forces each year, it was, and remains, the perfect match.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BuildForce has helped to change perceptions along the way. Dewet Du Plessis, who left the Royal Marines in 2018 and is now an assistant logistics manager with EKFB HS2 JV comments, \u201cBuildForce has opened the door to not just one or two areas of the construction industry, but enlightened me to many opportunities and a career avenue that I never would have thought about. It is a fantastic organisation, with a team that always seems to find time to lend advice or make introductions.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

More than meets the eye<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

BuildForce presents the construction industry as one that is accessible to all ranks \u2013 from privates through to brigadiers \u2013 and offers genuine potential for career progression. The aim is to offer a comprehensive service that includes information provision and guidance, as well as mental health and wellbeing support. These combine to give individuals the confidence and self-belief to reach their goals. Mentoring is also an important aspect of the process, with each candidate partnered with an industry expert to offer career advice and support as their journey progresses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have been involved with BuildForce for many years and seen first-hand the impact they have on Veterans\u2019 lives by giving them the skills, mentoring and contacts to start a new career within the construction industry.\u201d says Phil Crick, \u201cAs both a Veteran and a Regional Operations Director for Amey Secure Infrastructure – a large scale infrastructure support contractor that has the MOD as one of its largest Clients – I have been delighted that the company I work for is proud to support this outstanding charity and give something back to those who have served in our country\u2019s Armed Forces. I wish BuildForce many more years of success supporting those who have served (as well as helping to narrow the skills gap for the construction industry with hugely capable individuals!) on this, their 10th Anniversary.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wilson James also directly benefits from being involved with BuildForce. After a 35-year career in the British Army, Nick Channer retired from the position as chief of staff at headquarters British Forces Germany and is now chief of staff at Wilson James. He states, \u201cI had the pleasure of being BuildForce\u2019s 100th job start. Buildforce made a massive difference to me during my transition and I would encourage other service leavers to get in touch \u2013 the span of opportunities is much wider than some might think.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Looking forward<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though the coronavirus pandemic has affected all aspects of our personal and working lives, the construction sector has been particularly\u00a0<\/span>resilient<\/span>\u00a0and we are busier than ever. The\u00a0<\/span>main focus<\/span>\u00a0for\u00a0<\/span>BuidForce<\/span>\u00a0during this time has been our mental health offering and, at the start of lockdown,\u00a0<\/span>all of<\/span>\u00a0our face-to-face\u00a0<\/span>sessions, including our Armed Forces Insight Days, were quickly moved online and\u00a0<\/span>our<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>virtual career chats<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0were initiated. We also have a whole\u00a0<\/span>schedule of virtual events<\/span><\/b><\/a>\u00a0planned for 2021, including our HS2 and joint ventures series, and talks from not just key employers, but also<\/span>\u00a0veteran employees who will share their journeys – the highs and lows, lessons learnt and life in their civilian careers – providing an invaluable insight to the sector.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re always looking at ways we can add value to our offering, and many of you may know that in 2020 we formed a partnership with University College of Estate Management (UCEM) to create the first online continuing professional development (CPD) training modules for veterans following research with our veterans and employers. These learning modules provide our candidates with the knowledge to enable them to take the first step towards becoming site and employment ready, i.e. gain an understanding of the construction industry as defined by employers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And one final indulgence, if I may; having joined the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) and signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2019, we are now working to gain the gold award, after achieving silver in 2020. We are confident that we can meet its very high standards, which include being an exemplar within our market sector whilst providing support to our veterans, partner organisations, suppliers and customers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Positive outlook<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we raise a socially distanced glass to the achievements of BuildForce over the last 10 years, we look forward with enthusiasm, optimism and a determination to build on this success. Our chief executive, Angela Forbes, concludes,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are immensely proud of what has been achieved. We have made huge strides in improving access to construction, raising the profile of ex-services personnel and enabling them to develop long-term careers. With the construction industry being a key driver of growth for the economy post-Covid, we are certainly up for the challenges ahead and our future is looking bright.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u2026Here\u2019s to the next 10 years!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you are interested in getting involved or would like further information about\u00a0<\/span>BuildForce<\/span>, please email <\/span>info@buildforce.org.uk<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or visit\u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.buildforce.org.uk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Published with the permission of\u00a0<\/span><\/i>BuildForce<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cI had the pleasure of being BuildForce Programme\u2019s 100th job start. 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