FROM HELEN DUVAL 2022

It may well be that the fenestration sector must continue to cope with material and job skill shortages. With a buoyancy in new contracts, it is essential to adapt and prepare for shortages of all kinds.

It is inevitable that the UK skills shortage will continue to make a substantial impact; combine that with rising taxes and hourly wage rates, then training staff to keep them will become a priority. Being able to think about business in the short-term with a regular sideways glance on the future will surely help growth?

It is essential to not let the divide between the top and the bottom of a team to grow wide. Those with foresight will nurture and encourage a workforce to pull together. Giving reassurance, particularly in days of new technology, which strikes fear in the hearts of so many. Digitisation will continue to transform this sector, and it is inevitable that companies will become more cost driven, particularly when it comes to promoting their companies.

Over the last two years we have seen a dramatic way in how we all work. Flexi space is growing in popularity as occupiers have lower risks and focus on well-being is improved. An amalgam of home and office based opportunities will help to attract the right people and keep those trained to help keep a business at the top of its game.

Investing in staff and the skills they can bring to a business is key to any recovery. Education and retraining will encourage a workforce, with their value recognised it is inevitable that they will see potential in the business for which they work.

The idea of ‘building back better’ as our Chancellor regularly shouts out, needs to be supported and promises made need to be kept.

If the ramifications from lockdown have taught us anything it is that we are able to adapt to different working methods. Just because something has always worked a particular way, does not mean that it should continue that way. Evaluating what is best for a workforce, customers and the business as a whole should be a priority and that could well mean adapting to big change.

Adopting modern methods including, digitisation, AR, and being flexible in evaluating business models will help to ensure success.

Changing course to attract and retain the right people will undoubtedly prove challenging but it is critical if we want to grow in a sustainable way throughout 2022.