BREXIT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE BEHIND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT?
Mindful of the fact that many of us are fed up with the ongoing ‘situation’ we all know as Brexit, we’ve delayed writing this post for some time. However, ignoring it won’t help anyone; least of all the sector’s employers, employees and contractors.
A lot has happened since the UK’s original exit date back in March but one thing that hasn’t changed is the uncertainty and how a deal or no deal agreement might impact the UK’s economy. Without knowing exactly what will happen come 31st October, it’s hard to know what the future holds but there is one dominating factor throughout all of this…people.
Power to the people
From retaining workers outside of the UK to the potential impact a loss of global contracts could have on a business and its employees, without the right people on board, the wheels stop turning. There are talks of increased fees to bring people in from outside of the EU to fulfil roles, including the requirement for employers to pay a sponsorship fee. Whatever happens, freedom of movement within the EU will be impacted.
Some will agree with this notion, others won’t, but as highlighted in a recent Facilities Management Journal article, new research from CIPD (the professional body for HR and people development) shows that employers are not ready for the introduction of new immigration restrictions. The CIPD’s research also indicates that since the referendum vote most employers’ efforts have been focused on retaining existing EU staff, rather than planning on how to respond to these imminent immigration restrictions. In turn, this could result in a ‘labour supply shock’.
Engaging the next generation
Following on from this and something we recently highlighted is the increased realisation we need to draw from the skill base here in the UK and engage with education providers - a concept The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) are backing.
You can read more about this in our recent blog post but engaging youngsters through the right channels and encouraging continuous on the job learning, rather than selling the idea they must have a degree in facilities management (FM) or engineering, is key. As well as working with the next generation to fill a skills shortage, which may become even more prevalent come post-Brexit, the upskilling of current staff should also be encouraged. We must develop skills within the UK and invest in our staff.
In Facilitate Magazine’s overview of Facilities Show 2019, they cited Nathan Holloway, Head of Practice at compliance consultant WYG, as acknowledging this increasing recognition among employers to draw more from the UK skills base with the need for FM to be a job option taught in schools to become more compelling. In the same article, Sofie Hooper, Senior Policy Advisor at IWFM agrees that upskilling of staff is required, as is the need to raise awareness among FM firms of the requirements in the EU settlement scheme.
Recruiting post-Brexit
In terms of how we moved forward here at 300 North post-Brexit, we will, of course, continue to serve the FM sector but no doubt the impact Brexit has on our clients and candidates will emerge over the coming months.
Yes, laws and legislation will change, and restrictions will be imposed but we’re certainly not looking at it as all doom and gloom. We will play the cards we are given and take it as an opportunity. This might even be the time for smaller FM providers to thrive.
The FM sector has faced many challenges but we are confident it will emerge victorious - even if some things have to change. For now, it’s business as usual, while being mindful of what could lie ahead…
300 NORTH SPECIALISE IN RECRUITING EXPERTS WITHIN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION. GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR RECRUITMENT NEEDS BY VISITING THE 300 NORTH WEBSITE OR CALLING 0113 336 5161.
