Workforce for the Future (WFTF)
Unlocking MMC for SME’s

Bridging the skills gap in the Built Environment through fully funded MMC training opportunities
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and offsite manufacturing are seen as the future with opportunities to improve productivity and attract new talent to the industry.
The CITB predicts that nearly 50% of all housing in the next five years could be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) but less than 17% of construction SMEs have any knowledge or understanding of MMC systems. Without the sufficient upskilling of the local supply chain, traditional Construction SME’s will be at risk of falling behind.
Building Growth South West is delivering Workforce for the Future on behalf of the West of England Combined Authority in collaboration with Bristol Housing Festival and MOBIE. The project will support traditional construction SME’s across the West of England through fully funded MMC training – helping to bridge the skills gap and futureproof the local workforce.
Interested?
Use the contact form below to register your interest.
Please note to be eligible for this programme your business must be based in the following areas: Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Bath and North East Somerset.
If you are an SME based in Devon, our DESME Programme may be for you
“Home is the most important piece of architecture in our lives. A well-designed home can enhance the way we live and promote our well-being”
George Clarke
Architect and TV presenter, MOBIE founder and Trustee.
Our Partners

With the help of MOBIE a new cohort of home creators will help us to deliver our most important buildings better and more affordably through a different way of thinking and doing.
We will attract and inspire the future creators of homes and the built environment through schools’ engagement and exciting new technical and vocational courses and training.
MOBIE exists to create a generational shift, to inspire, train and retrain the young people who will deliver the homes and places that we want and really need.
MOBIE is passionate about high standards of home-design, high quality home-building and creating truly affordable, sustainable and beautiful communities for everyone to be able to enjoy living in.

The Bristol Housing Festival is a five year project, hosting an ongoing conversation in various forms to incubate and pilot new ideas, with the goal of finding scalable solutions.
We host events, round table discussions and public exhibitions of the latest innovation in off-site manufacturing solutions and modern methods of construction.

About the Workforce for the Future Programme

Through this programme you’ll receive support over three years from our expert partners to ensure your business can identify ongoing skills needs, unlock opportunities, drive change and invest in your current and future workforce:
- Access to an experienced Skills Adviser who will help you develop your workforce
- A Workforce Development Plan and strategy to put into place
- Access a suite of online tools, resources and workshops
- Funding for skills training programmes
- Strategic planning and change management guidance
- Support with apprenticeships and student placements
- Confidence in safeguarding jobs, reimagining your existing workforce and recruiting sufficiently skilled employees from local pools of talent
- The latest approaches to open and inclusive recruitment so you can reduce your skills gaps and improve connectivity with the local skills system.
Workforce For The Future Will Help Your Business:
1
Develop a more motiviated, skilled and qualified workforce
2
Increase digital skills and expertise and foster innovation
3
Capture the financial benefits of improved performance and elevated productivity
4
Attract new talent, improve staff retention and develop future leaders
5
Boost business resilience and flexibility to overcome future challenges
6
Increase diversity and inclusivity in your workforce
7
Safeguard jobs and support employees through change

The West of England Growth Hub
For more information on Workforce for the Future, please contact the West of England Growth Hub. The Growth Hub is the West of England Combined Authority’s dedicated business support service which offers free, one-to-one advice and guidance for SMEs.
Delivered by the West of England Combined Authority in partnership with Adviza, Bath College, Business West, City of Bristol College, University of the West of England, Weston College and Western Training Provider Network. The project has received funding from the European Social Fund (ESF).

European Social Fund
The project has received £4m of funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme.
Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.