NOCN Group is working to get more young people interested in the construction industry through the Construction Plant Competence Scheme, the leading skills certification scheme for plant within the UK construction industry.
The CPCS was launched in 2003 and is developed by industry figures to prepare participants for the industry as best as possible.
Through the scheme, NOCN has issued over 300,000 cards across 60 categories of plant and related occupations, taking a deliberate approach with young people that appears to be working.
NOCN offers clear guidance on working conditions, potential earnings, and future opportunities, focusing on helping young people reach their potential and find a fulfilling career.
The construction sector has grown quickly over the past 10 years, and can offer a more diverse range of careers than ever before.
On average, UK construction workers earn £33,500 per year, with those who take on additional training able to earn more.
In a recent update named Attracting Young Persons into the Construction Plant Sector, NOCN encouraged the sector to do more to sell these qualities, with employers urged to utilise apprenticeship placements to give more young people experience.
"Filling places will create more interest from training providers, and more places and cohorts will be made available," the update read.
"Let us help industry address the skills shortage and bring in some young blood."
Writing in a recent edition of The Parliamentary Review, managing director Graham Hasting-Evans discussed a similar idea, arguing that more needed to be done to improve the chances of finding work for young people, with promoting an industry like a construction a clear opportunity.
"We will need to improve cognitive and employability skills as we as make people more work ready," he said.
"We will need to support people to attain their first Level 2 technical qualification or gain entry to a Level 2 apprenticeship.If we want a fair and equitable society with opportunities for everyone to climb the career ladder, we are going to have to prioritise investment in FE and adult education."
