Currently, 56% of UK organisations are experiencing a skills shortage. Many skilled workers are retiring, and not enough new workers have the training and skills necessary to take their place. With this growing gap in the market for new skilled workers looming, our team have jumped into action to solve the problem with our PSI Training Academy.
The PSI Training Academy was created to fill a gap in the market created by an ageing workforce. The academy aims to upskill workers interested in learning a new skill. This new initiative will provide the training necessary to put people straight into long-term jobs currently available on various projects across the UK.
The initiative was started by Training Director Rebecca Law. While recruiting for roles within Industrial Services, Rebecca started to see for herself the effects of the skills shortage. “We were already seeing a decrease in skilled workers before Covid, but the pandemic added to that with job losses and a number of unfilled vacancies in sectors like construction.”
Not only did workers in the construction industry lose jobs through the pandemic, but younger and more inexperienced workers have seen a higher increase in job loss. During this time, they were re-entering a workforce alongside more experienced workers who also lost jobs over a roughly 18-month period. Creating the academy is a way to help younger workers gain the skills necessary to compete in the industry now and in the future.
With this project in place, it not only helps to shorten the skills gap but also helps to supply local workers with jobs in their own community. While PSI Global has been promoting the new training academy themselves, the team have also had help from various organisations across the UK.
PSI Global partnered with Hire A Hero, a charity created to help those who have served transition back into life as a civilian, including helping them back into work. Positions available from PSI Global will be listed on their job board, giving veterans the opportunity to apply for work while learning a new skill.
The team has also been working to bridge the skills gap by engaging with local groups such as women in construction, homeless charities, and ex-offenders.
While the project has started with the upskilling of industrial painters, the team is also looking forward to getting more scaffolders into jobs across the UK as well. PSI Global has been committed to developing its dedicated workforce to provide further opportunities for them and support the needs and requirements of site.
If your company is interested in taking part in the PSI Training Academy for your workforce, email us at Bookings@psiglobaltraining.com and our team will be in touch.
