Build a happier, productive, and more efficient workforce, ready to deliver at scale

By Kate Watson, RISE Technical Support Lead

Across the retrofit supply chain, we often hear one common challenge: finding and keeping skilled people is one of the biggest delivery risks facing projects today – with 230,000 additional workers needed in the next five years to meet demand.

Contributing to this, we see a persistent barrier for recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce. Data from the Chartered Institute of Buildings (CIOB), highlights the scale of the gap: women make up just 15% of the construction workforce (and only 2% working on site), with only 6% from ethnic minority backgrounds and 6% identifying as disabled. This compares to 51%, 17% and 22% respectively across the wider population, according to the National Housing Federation. Meanwhile, 60% of LGBTQ+ workers experiencing derogatory language and a significant proportion feel unable to be open at work.

Diversity is a delivery advantage.

There are several advantages to implementing an EDI strategy. Many businesses are discovering that widening who they recruit and how the team is supported is helping to:

  • Fill vacancies, with a wider pool of talent available from under-represented groups
  • Improve team performance, higher morale directly improves efficiency and productivity
  • Increase capacity, improved staff retention leads to financial savings and the ability to take on more work
  • Strengthen client relationships, by understanding their diverse needs
  • Bring new skills into the workforce, drawing from a range of backgrounds and experiences
  • Improved experience for resident, being able to relate to the people coming into their homes helps build trust

Workforces are just happier where staff members can be themselves, and have everything they need to do their best work. And in a sector that needs to grow rapidly, accessing a broader talent pool is a practical workforce strategy.

That’s why the upcoming RISE Masterclasses and Roundtables supporting the retrofit supply chain are focused on helping you to develop routes to delivering EDI in your organisation.

Work on solutions with other organisations.

The upcoming supply chain roundtable is focused on a simple question: what actually works in practice when it comes to building more diverse teams?

Many organisations are being innovative in how they approach their EDI strategy, so there is much that can be learnt when we come together.

At this Roundtable we’ll invite you to discuss your ideas and your experiences of how diversity has enhanced your team and strengthened your organsiation and the services you deliver for clients. We would love to hear what you learnt from this process and are willing to share with others. From there, we can address common challenges and work on solutions together. 

Future proof your team with recruitment routes.

For many businesses, capacity becomes a barrier to progress. Short project pipelines and tight margins make it difficult to invest in new recruitment approaches. This is where structured pathways can help.

Working with local training providers, offering short placements and mentoring, and creating flexible entry points for career changers can open the door to people who would not otherwise consider retrofit or construction.

Work and Training Organisations (WATOs) can be a route towards building a more inclusive workforce. They can help your organisation to reach a wider training pool while offering practical advice on designing an inclusive training and employment pathway. 

To understand how to engage with WATOs, join our upcoming Masterclass on building inclusive workforces.

An inclusive retrofit supply chain builds teams that last. 

By opening real pathways into skilled roles and creating site environments where people can do their best work, you will create the conditions for a stronger and more resilient workforce that will be placed to deliver at the pace and scale required to meet demand.

It’s about stronger relationships with residents and clients, better communication on the ground, and a workforce that genuinely reflects the communities that retrofit is here to serve. An inclusive approach to your workforce strategy will set a strong foundation for the future of your organisation. 

For more on how to put EDI principles into practice, join our Masterclass Delivering EDI in retrofit supply chain on Thursday 12 March, 3-4pm.