Two weeks after the campaign’s launch, Stephanie Tague, head of Building Our Skills (BOS), has reported being overwhelmed by the industry’s support for BOS’ Inspiring the Future campaign. But more fenestration businesses and individuals still need to come forward and unite in addressing one of the industry’s biggest challenges, she argued. The Inspiring the Future campaign encourages glazing industry businesses to take actions that will help eliminate the industry’s ever-growing skills gap.
“When we launched the campaign, we wanted to create more awareness about working in fenestration and recruit support in attracting new and young people to our industry. I never expected we would gain such momentum after such a short time, but it is fabulous to see the response we are getting.
“I think after the events of the last 12 months, companies are really starting to feel the pinch not being able to recruit new staff easily, especially when it comes to hiring manufacturing and installation workers. These areas were primarily the reason BOS was established two and half years ago. With the absence of new talent coming into our industry the skills gap is set to climb and increase further.
“The #ICommit pledge [part of Inspiring the Future] is creating a real buzz on our three social media platforms: Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. We have recruited the support of our existing company supporters to take part, and each one is telling us how or why they are committing to help increase awareness through to young people.
“Every one of us can make a real difference, one way or another, whether it by pledging to talk to young people via our Inspiring The Future education scheme, or encouraging others to get involved in supporting Building Our Skills and its long-term aims of attracting new and young people to our industry. All contributes towards creating a solution to resolve the overall skills gap issue.
“I implore everyone and anyone, no matter what your position is in your business, to get in touch and see how you can help make a difference,” concluded Stephanie. For more information about getting involved with the’#ICommit campaign, or for further information about BOS, contact Stephanie directly by emailing stephanie@buildingourskills.co.uk or calling 07789 344 479.
