Major projects such as Crossrail, 2012 Olympics and the Thames Gateway ensure that there will be a high demand in London for construction, engineering and technological specialists.

Although demand is likely to remain fairly stable, there are large regional variations, and there is likely to be strong growth in the South East. This is compounded by an aging workforce. Similar conditions are found in the engineering sector. A large proportion of the IT industry is found in London and the South East. Although the IT industry tends to devote resources to training and has a relatively well-qualified workforce, there has been a decline in recruitment to degrees in IT.

Gill Carter is based at London South Bank University and is the sector lead for Construction, Engineering and Technologies. Gill took up her post in September 2008.

Gill organises the SELLLN Construction, Engineering and Technologies Sector Working Group. This group sets the overall strategy for SELLLN’s engagement with the sector.

As well as membership drawn from our partner colleges and universities, the group’s membership includes representatives from SEMTA, the sector skills council for engineering and manufacturing technologies, Construction Skills, the sector skills council for construction work, Asset Skills, the sector skills council for property, housing, facilities management, cleaning and parking industries, the London Engineering Project and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

SELLLN is already funding several initiatives in the Construction, Engineering and Technologies Sector. These include a project to improve language, literacy and numeracy skills for construction workers on vocational programmes, and producing resources that inform employers about the opportunities to provide placements and other support to learners on the Engineering Diploma, in association with the Royal Academy of Engineering. A progression agreement for Information Technologies is in development.