Conversion training programs in the construction industry make it possible to update the skills of unemployed university graduates to meet the needs of the labor market. The training utilizes the students' previous skills, which offers a quick path to a new profession. In addition to the fact that the education model has significant benefits for companies, the drift of those with higher education into the cycle of unemployment is broken.
Conversion training in the construction industry is implemented through close cooperation between companies and universities. A large part of learning also takes place at workplaces.
- The specific trainings planned together with the companies in the construction industry directly respond to their skills shortage. At the same time, we can make use of the previous know-how of those with higher education in many different fields in the construction industry, says the CEO of Rakennusteollisuus RT Tarmo Pipatti.
There are approximately 6 unemployed engineers in Finland, the skills of many of whom can be updated in just a couple of years to meet the needs of companies in the construction industry. For example, those who have obtained a university degree in the field of engineering are practically trained to become master builders (AMK).
- Finding highly educated experts has become a challenge in several growth sectors. With the new education model, the growing demand for labor can be met faster than the usual education path. In Pontimena, there has been a situation in the construction sector in particular, where there is a great need for civil engineers and master builders, the Minister of Labor Jari Lindström says.
The new building construction training programs are to be launched in both Pirkanmaa and Uusimaa at the end of this year. In Pirkanmaa, the search is already underway, and in Uusimaa, the search will open later in the fall.
- These pilots are also useful nationally, because the experiences gained from them can easily be used in other regions and fields. A key factor in the project has been the law change that came into effect in the summer, which means that a person who has already completed a university degree, a representative Lauri Pakkanen The construction industry from RT emphasizes.
Pakkanen thanks the Ministry of Labor and the Economy and the Ministry of Education and Culture for their quick cooperation to make training possible.
The corresponding conversion training in the infrastructure sector has already started last spring. In it, selected parts of the construction master's degree in infrastructure are completed, such as project management of infrastructure construction and supervision of subcontracts. The training provides the skills to work in infrastructure construction work management positions, but not as a responsible foreman. According to Pakkanen, both companies' and students' initial experiences of the infrastructure program have been very positive.
- We have a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards new education models. We already have a few good experiences of applying the conversion training model from the side of infrastructure construction. However, a prerequisite for success is close and seamless cooperation between all involved parties. The goals must be common; finding new resources for companies to use, extending working careers from the perspective of society and enabling a new career for an individual. The needs of working life are changing and that's why such practical new models are needed, sums up Skanska's human resources director Kirsi Mettälä.
The shortage of skilled work management has become one of the most limiting factors in construction production. The background is, among other things, the reduction of education in previous years, the generation lost in the recession of the 90s and the retirement wave of baby boomers. Construction has now been growing strongly and there are several notable projects underway. The longer-term employment prospects in the sector are also good, when, for example, urbanization maintains the need for construction. In the construction industry, new skills are also needed, for example due to strong digitalization and changes in operating methods, for which the previous skills of those undergoing conversion training serve as a good basis.
For more information:
Lauri Pakkanen
Attorney, guardianship of education and labor matters in the construction industry
Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI)
050 522 7797
Tarmo Pipatti
CEO
Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries (CFCI)
040 506 5021