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Breaking Ground: SPOA launches major research programme into the future of the plant workforce
The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has launched Breaking Ground, a long-term research programme aimed at developing a better understanding of how the plant sector can attract, develop and retain the workforce it needs for the future.
Rather than beginning with assumptions about the causes of workforce and skills challenges or predetermined solutions to them, Breaking Ground will take an exploratory, evidence led approach, gathering insight from people both within and outside the industry to better understand where practical opportunities for change exist.
The programme will begin with an in-depth examination of women’s participation in the plant sector, exploring perceptions of the industry, routes into plant careers, recruitment, workplace experiences, retention and progression.
This first phase will seek perspectives not only from women currently working within the industry, but also from women outside the sector, men working within the industry, employers, young people and organisations involved in education and career development.
The approach has been developed using academic research principles, with an emphasis on understanding people’s experiences and perceptions before drawing conclusions about the barriers or opportunities that exist.
Ellie Thompson and Carly Finley from WiP attending Stirling apprentice event, hosted by DYW at Stirling Court Hotel.
Breaking Ground is being led by Gail McEwen, Vice President of SPOA, with the initial Women in Plant research developed alongside Carly Finley and SPOA’s Women in Plant group.
The initiative was formally launched at SPOA’s Aberdeen Area Meeting in September, attended by over 140 representatives from across the Scottish plant industry.
Gail McEwen explains: “The SPOA is really excited about this research. We know there are workforce and skills challenges within our industry, and we know that women remain significantly underrepresented, but simply producing yet another report concluding that we need more women in the industry doesn’t tell us what we should actually do about it. We need to understand why.
“If the evidence tells us that women outside the sector just aren’t aware of the range of careers available within plant, that points us towards careers education, schools engagement and organisations such as DYW, where we can give young people practical experience of the industry.
“If women already working within plant tell us there are particular issues around retention or progression, that requires a completely different response.
“And if employers tell us they are actively looking to recruit more women but simply aren’t receiving applications, then we need to look at recruitment pathways, careers information, work experience and how we better connect potential entrants with SPOA member companies.
“The important thing is that we don’t decide what the intervention should be before we understand the problem.
“Women in plant is where Breaking Ground begins, but it isn’t where it ends. Not everything we learn through this first phase will be unique to women. The findings will help us identify wider questions around how our industry attracts, develops and retains people and where further research is needed.
“Ultimately, we want Breaking Ground to give the SPOA and the wider industry an evidence base from which we can develop practical actions that support a sustainable, skilled workforce capable of capitalising on the opportunities ahead.”
Gail McEwen.
SPOA is therefore seeking participation from as broad a range of people as possible. Alongside those already working within plant and the wider construction industry, the Association wants to hear from people outside the sector and is encouraging engagement from the wider business community, schools, colleges and organisations working with young people.
The initial Breaking Ground survey is open until the end of the year and can be accessed here.