Building Bristol Launch – we have lift off!
An exciting moment. Atop of one of Bristol’s tallest buildings, a collection of leaders and apprentices got together as part of our first soft launch of the Building Bristol initiative. Councillors Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Children’s Services, Education and Equalities (centre) and Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes (far left) recently met up with Jane Taylor (Head of Service, ESL) and John Broughton, Regional Managing Director for Wales and the South West of Bouygues UK. John has recently taken on the role of Chair of the Building Bristol Board and he’s helping us to engage with key developers, education, training, employment support, voluntary sector, trade unions and construction support so there is a strong talent pipeline into construction and end use jobs and careers.
Bristol’s construction industry is booming, and despite the threatened recession, there are still lots of cranes on the horizon. In addition to the smart homes, schools, hotels, entertainment, and health facilities underway, our city also needs accessible and inclusive skills development, training, and employment opportunities. That is why Bristol’s Planning Department are now requiring that all major planning applications include an Employment and Skills Plan (ESP) for the construction phase and, where appropriate, the end use phase too. Through Building Bristol, we can now work more systematically in connecting job applicants and developers with a wide range of employment and skills services. This will mean more great jobs for local people across all our diverse communities.
Donna Woodland our Building Bristol Coordinator has done an amazing job getting the employment and skills planning framework and our board of key strategic partners in place. She is on hand to support contractors, developers and end employers with developing their Employment and Skills Plans and delivering their agreed targets. By working with all major developments, there are going to be some great opportunities for shared events and campaigns to boost local recruitment. The On Site Bristol team will of course be a critical contributor to Building Bristol, as will Bristol WORKS, Bristol Post 16, One Front Door and Adult and Community Learning – indeed, the whole ESL family!
For more information contact Donna Woodland – Building Bristol Coordinator buildingbristol@bristol.gov.uk
