P&R’s capital projects pause could see fewer apprentices
FEWER apprentices are likely to be taken on by local construction firms, as Policy & Resources’ decision to put the brakes on capital projects until July has put doubts in employers’ minds.
The Guernsey Building Trades Employers Association has said it was extremely disappointed to learn of the P&R decision, which follows the start/stop nature of States infrastructure projects.
‘This feast to famine approach to States infrastructure projects has had an adverse impact on Guernsey’s construction industry and ultimately on the cost to the States of eventually delivering these projects,’ the association said in a statement.
‘The building industry has asked for a clear programme of work from the States of Guernsey in order to plan the resources that it will need.’
The GBTEA represents about 80 construction firms, from solo tradesmen to larger corporations.
GBTEA president Steve Roussel said that the industry has already seen a contraction in the volume of States work.
‘Where we previously had large projects such as schools, that lull has been picked up by the private sector, but the States work is really important for the mix and volume of projects we take on,’ he said.
‘P&R are in a situation where they must look closely at spending, but projects that are really important, such as housing, will need to be built anyway and are huge projects for construction firms.’
Following the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, construction work has picked back up and companies are stretched.
But without commitment and investment by the States in the building industry, GBTEA members could be reluctant to expand their workforces further.
‘The decision has made it hard for firms to decide whether to employ new staff and apprentices,’ said Mr Roussel.
‘I am concerned that P&R’s decision will put doubts into employers minds to take on extra apprentices.’
Construction apprenticeships take between three and five years, but it can take much longer to acquire specialist skills.
GBTEA said that in the mid-2010s, the States statistics showed about 3,500 islanders employed in construction.
Partially influenced by limited States investment, by 2018 the workforce had dropped more than 20%.
The association said that P&R’s decision is ‘doubly misplaced’ and it has queried how the States expect construction employers to invest in the next generation of workers without firm commitment of States investment in the industry.
We are moving with utmost speed – P&R
Policy & Resources has moved to reassure that decisions will be taken quickly.
‘We can assure the industry that the review of the capital portfolio is taking place with the utmost speed, following the outcome of the tax review debate which unfortunately leaves public finances under serious ongoing pressure,’ a spokesman said.
‘Despite some political calls for a slower review, we agree it is important to give clarity and certainty to the community and to business.
‘This review will be completed and return to the States in a very short time-frame, so the Assembly can publicly discuss it and make a final decision.
‘No projects where contracts are agreed are paused as a result. Therefore we do not expect this quick review to have any significant impact on the local industry.’
