County Durham firm leader joins construction skills board

Julie White, managing director of D-Drill & Sawing, a construction services company with a branch in Craghead, County Durham, has been appointed to the new Construction Skills Mission Board.

The board, supported by the Government, aims to recruit 100,000 new construction workers annually until 2029 to meet growing industry demand. 

Julie, also chair of Build UK, will bring her experience leading a multi-million-pound construction business to the board, representing specialist construction firms.

The board’s work supports government plans for 1.5 million new homes and infrastructure upgrades by the end of this Parliament.

Julie said: “More than 85 per cent of my workforce are current or former apprentices – including myself – and I know first-hand how much of a difference investing in skills can make, which is why I am excited to be supporting the new Construction Skills Mission Board.

“The construction industry is about to embark on a major pipeline of work originating out of the Government’s ten-year infrastructure strategy – alongside building 1.5 million new homes – so it is vital that employers can see a clear pathway on how they can upskill and recruit for the skills they need, so they can meet the demand. 

“Youngsters’ appetite to get into construction has never been stronger – more than 7,000 people recently attended Build UK’s Open Doors week for workplace tours – but we need to ensure that new entrants are learning skills that the industry needs.

“Now is the time for industry to share their views via the board on how they can be supported to invest in new workers, as well as the skillsets that they need.

“I know the issues that specialist, niche construction companies face when it comes to skills and through my role at Build UK, I have been engaged with hundreds of companies and trade bodies so have heard a wide variety of views on the topic.”

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