Ben Lever, Future Skills Manager at CITB took part in a Live Twitter Q&A with Explore Offsite.
Read our conversation below:
EO: We are now live with @Blever_CITB for another one of our speaker Q&A's for #ExploreOffsite Outlooks! Hi Ben, how are you? :)
BL: Very good thanks. Looking forward to it!
EO: @Blever_CITB Great, let's get to it! Firstly, could you start with introducing yourself and explaining your role at @CITB_UK? #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/2: I'm Future Skills and Innovation Lead @CITB_UK. My job involves identifying new and emerging construction practices, what that means for skills and training needs and how we can support industry to deliver them.
2/2: @CITB_UK does that through 3 areas: supporting entry into and progression along construction #careers. Ensuring that the right #qualifications and training standards are in place. And ensuring industry has access to high quality and relevant #training.
EO: @Blever_CITB A very crucial role to ensure we are advancing in construction! How important is it to ensure that full training is given in an offsite workforce? #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/3: The business case for offsite is built on accuracy, quality and speed. To achieve that, it's essential the workforce is fully qualified and competent. Any weak link will undermine the whole thing.
2/3: Our recent research, https://www.citb.co.uk/research-and-insight/innovation-technology/faster-smarter-building-skills-for-offsite-construction1/ …, shows that the offsite workforce is made up of several functions and the changes to skill sets differ across them. The right training needs to be applied, depending on tasks in hand and existing competencies.
3/3: For some, like onsite assembly it may be combining existing skills. For others, in automated production, it's a new digital construction skill set. But across all, knowledge of offsite process and the quality, scheduling and management behaviours are really important.
EO: @Blever_CITB We agree, it is extremely important! Touching on 'Digital Construction' then, why do you think it is important for the workforce to improve their understanding of the digital transformation that is taking place in construction? #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/2: Because it will transform the way in which everyone works. Offsite is a clear example where digital-led processes are disrupting job roles or requiring new skills. But even on traditional new builds or renovations, digital tools or process will be the new norm.
2/2: BIM is a key area. But so are tools like laser scanners, drones, AR/VR and productivity apps. Some will bed in naturally. Others will require more support and training. @CITB_UK has research planned to explore this in more detail and see where intervention is needed.
EO: @Blever_CITB Definitely! In regards to further training is there any new qualifications out there for offsite construction or one that stands out? Can you give us an example? #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/3: So @CITB_UK has been working with employers to develop new qualification standards for the onsite construction of offsite assemblies. It's about ensuring the standards reflect new materials and techniques and include knowledge of DfMA and digital.
2/3: We've also been supporting manufacturing experts @the_MTC_org to define competency frameworks for construction-manufacturing roles e.g. Digital Construction Manager. The hope is that the new standards will lead to new apprenticeship programmes.
3/3: Getting the new qualifications offered and funded is an employer-led task. We are here to support them to do it.
EO: @Blever_CITB How fantastic! A really great way to make advances in the industry. Could you now briefly outline your Explore Offsite Outlooks presentation topic? We are all very excited to see what you have in store! #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/2: I'm co-presenting with Ian Buckingham from @the_MTC_org. We'll be talking about the research and the work we've been doing to establish new qualifications for the #offsite workforce.
2/2: We'll also be looking ahead to what support the sector needs to deliver training such as training trainers and access to facilities. We hope to get plenty of feedback from the audience. 😊
EO: @Blever_CITB It's all extremely exciting stuff! And finally Ben, why you think people should attend Explore Offsite Outlooks? #ExploreOffsite
BL: 1/2: 2017 was the year when offsite grabbed the headlines. Now 2018 looks set to be a year of real growth with announcements of new investments and contracts. Events like @ExploreOffsite Outlooks are really valuable in sharing knowledge and supporting best practice.
2/2: It's particularly good to see the perspectives across design, construction and manufacturing. For more clients and businesses to adopt offsite, standardisation is key - so anything that helps sharing and collaboration is a good thing.
EO: @Blever_CITB You heard it here people book your place at #ExploreOffsite Outlooks here: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/book . Thank-you very much Ben for taking part in our Q&A. We are all well informed and ready to hear more on the 28th! Have a great day :)
BL: My pleasure. See you on the 28th!
Explore Offsite Outlooks will be taking place on 28 February at BRE, Watford. To view the conference line-up, visit: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/2018-events/explore-offsite-outlooks/conference-speakers/
Tickets cost just £125 + vat and includes entry into the conference and exhibition, lunch and refreshments. There will also be an option of a guided tour of the BRE Innovation Park. Book your place here: http://www.exploreoffsite.co.uk/book/
