Uncertainty around the impact of Brexit caused many of the UK’s top employers to cut their recruitment of graduates during 2017, according to a High Fliers survey titled The Graduate Market in 2018.

A study of the top 100 graduate recruiters – including aviation, finance, construction, retail and automotive firms – found many had reduced their hiring of graduates during 2017, resulting in a reduction for the first time since the global financial crisis.

Employers from 8 out of 13 hired fewer graduates following the Brexit vote, with private sector organisations recruiting 10.3% less than the year before.

While the outlook for 2018 is more cautiously positive, with an increase of 3.6% expected this year, we believe now is the time to increase investment in graduate, apprenticeship and trainee schemes, rather than reduce them.

Both Labour and Conservatives have pledged in their manifestos to manage the migration from the EU as part of the UK’s Brexit strategy. Accessing skilled staff post-Brexit could be a huge challenge for businesses if they do not start implementing plans now to fill vacant roles.

At M. Lambe Construction we believe developing young local people and upskilling experienced professionals, through apprenticeship and training programmes, is the answer.

This is why we invested in Premier Training College, to enable the development of our own enhanced NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Civil Engineering. All our apprentices receive two days per week at our own college and the remaining three days on site under the supervision of a dedicated mentor who oversees their day to day learning.

Beyond apprenticeships, we are currently providing our staff with full financial support towards BTEC, HNC, undergraduate and postgraduate level qualifications. We believe this approach sets the business and our colleagues in good stead for the future and will help mitigate potential repercussions following the UK’s exit from the EU.

So, if you’re creative, driven and love a challenge, M. Lambe Construction could be the place for your next career move. Call us on 0121 554 2108.