Builders Merchants amongst first employers to sign up for talent scheme


24 July 2020

Companies employing more than 100,000 people have signed up to support the Construction Leadership Council’s Talent Retention Scheme as it goes live today (24 July 2020).  

The Construction Talent Retention Scheme is a not-for-profit programme, backed by Government, business organisations, professional institutions and construction unions.

The online portal allows skilled individuals to showcase their experience and expertise and helps businesses across the industry find the skills they need. 

There has been strong interest in the Scheme since it was announced as part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Plan for Jobs earlier this month. 

More than 350 employers have signed up to use the Scheme. These companies – drawn from across Britain - range from multinational engineering giants, through building product manufacturers and merchants to SME builders. Early adopters in the merchant sector who have roles listed at launch include Bradfords, MP Moran & Sons and Travis Perkins.

Construction Minister and Construction Leadership Council co-chair Nadhim Zahawi MP said: “Building new homes, accelerating infrastructure, and making sure people have the right skills are all at the heart of the government’s plans to build back better from Covid-19.

Launching today, this scheme will help to retain vital knowledge within the construction industry, enabling businesses to rapidly recruit talented individuals and reduce skills shortages at this pivotal time in the nation’s economic recovery.” 

John Newcomb, CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation said: “The Construction Leadership Council moved quickly, working with Government to develop a portal designed to keep vital skills built up over many years within the industry.  The Talent Retention Scheme can play a major role in securing the construction sector’s long-term recovery and I am delighted that builders’ merchants are amongst the first employers to sign up and support the Scheme.”

The free-to-use site allows the redeployment of staff at risk of redundancy and enables temporary employee loans between businesses. 

It also gives displaced workers from other sectors a route to find new employment.

The platform offers a fully featured system allowing companies to easily search candidates’ online profiles and CVs on a local, regional and national basis.

It allows you to promote and directly manage information about your business, services, latest vacancies, news and events to skilled workers seeking new opportunities and to contact them directly.

The site is now live at www.clc-talentretention.co.uk  and is open to both businesses and candidates looking for work.