Attract more young to tackle ‘dire housing crisis’ – McArdle
11th September 2018

Arthur McArdle this week stepped in as the new FMB President with a pledge to put the skills shortage at the top of its agenda to help ‘build the nation of the housing crisis’.

He told delegates at the Federation’s AGM at the weekend: “The skills shortage the sector is facing is absolutely dire and the only way we can guarantee enough skilled construction workers in the future is by attracting more young people into the sector and training them to a high standard now.

“I am extremely passionate about ensuring that we have enough skilled workers to help build the nation out of the housing crisis. The construction industry is an extremely rewarding sector to work in and it should be viewed as such. I want construction to be a career of choice for young people.

“Although the FMB has spearheaded steps to make apprenticeships more attractive to young people, including playing a pivotal role in the sign off of two high quality apprenticeships in bricklaying and plastering in June this year, we still have further to go. The FMB is committed to working with the Government to improve the quality and quantity of apprenticeships.”

An FMB member for 30 years, Arthur McArdle is the owner of Woodfield Building Services (Staffs), a family business working for local authorities, housing associations and the public.

As well as his election to the office at the AGM and National Conference in Bournemouth, Janet Etchells was voted in as the first female National Vice President.

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