Does construction skills policy reflect local needs for skills investment?

Increasing emphasis on the small medium enterprise (SME) sector has created tensions within systems of skills delivery. Recent national reforms in this area aimed to address concerns highlighted by micro and SME organisations; principally those related to a lack of realistic provision in training type and levels, service, cost and quality. Although the subject has received little attention by way of methodical research, there exists a common belief that smaller firms lack influence in developing or implementing important training and workforce development related policy and skills investment decisions. This research examined these issues through a series of key influencing factors; skills shortage recognition, training quality and communications. A three-stage research project was conducted. An initial pilot study highlighted key areas which were followed up through series of semi-structured interviews in the South-west Wales area. Key informant interviews were then conducted with key stakeholders and re-checked through the use of a focus group. The results identify the problems faced by micro-small-medium sized organisations when finding themselves in what can almost be described as active competition, for training related funding, with the large contractors. The point being that the skills requirements of these types of organisations are very different and it is the needs of the larger organisations which carry more influence over policy making at the national level. In order to achieve the considerable economic benefits from the construction sector, the UK must develop a more coherent approach to skills development that particularly recognises and embraces the role of micro and small organisations.