2025 A Year of Uncertainty & Change

We face another uncertain year with lots of policy changes coming out of the new Labour Government including Skills England, Growth & Skills Levy, Qualifications Review with its defunding, Foundation/short apprenticeships rolling out in 2025 and Curriculum Review. Changes are also taking place on skills policies in Scotland and Wales.

The findings and recommendations arising from the ITB Review of CITB and ECITB are expected to be published early in 2025 and could have significant implications across the UK.

Apprenticeship reform in England could affect EPA and how to increase the achievement rate. There will also be a push to increase the number of English students on HTQs. The English on-site T Level is ceasing.

Whilst this is all happening industry has 4 key challenges it is facing:

• Reduce the major skills shortages of circa 250,000 skilled personnel up to 2027, to match the demands of a sustainable economy.
• A skills shortage of around 150,000 to build the 1.5 million new homes and linked with that the NHBC planned Hubs.
• Upskill the workforce to improve productivity.
• Skill the workforce to support the UK in constructing the Net-Zero and sustainable housing and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions.
• Ensure compliance with the legal requirements arising from Grenfell, by improving the level of competency of the workforce.

Pulling all this together we have a great conference agenda with major keynote speeches from:

• CITB
• CLC – CECA
• Gatsby
• Ofsted

David Lord

BACH National Chair Head of Construction, Burnley College

David Lord has been employed at colleges as a Lecturer, Programme Leader in Wood Trades, Curriculum Manager and then was appointed the Head of Construction at Burnley College in 2016. He has been a member of BACH for 13 years and has held the positions of Secretary and Vice-Chair of BACH's largest Region North West England. He is National Vice-Chair BACH and stands a s National Chair in March 2023.

David is known for his passion about the importance of education and the role that Further Education has to play in shaping the future of Construction. He is keen to see BACH lobbying of parliament to ensure that our voice is heard on significant national objectives including the strengthening of 16 -19 education a n d the recruitment of appropriate staff.

 

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Graham Hastings-Evans

Chief Executive, NOCN Group and President of BACH

He has been involved in the UK Government's reform of apprenticeships and technical education and developed several Trailblazer apprenticeship standards, including degree apprenticeships. This has now resulted in NOCN introducing degree apprenticeships to other parts of the World.

He joined NOCN as Managing Director at the beginning of 2011 and is now Chief Executive of the Group. Prior to that Graham worked on management development, workforce training, employment and skills development in industry, government and also, on employment and skills programme for the construction of the London Olympics. He has also worked in government on skills and apprenticeship policy and programmes. Recently, he has authored a major publication on "Greening of the UK's Skills”. His work on developing the skills of adults and young people includes time in India, the Middle East, Southern Africa, ASEAN, and parts of Europe.

 

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Tim Balcon

CEO, CITB 

Tim became Chief Executive of CITB in September 2021. Tim has led professional and membership bodies, including as Chief Executive at the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, and Chief Executive of the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council (EU Skills), where he created the National Skills Academy for Power. In this role at the Energy and Utility Sector Skills Council, he led EU Skills to securing significant funding from Ofgem, the energy regulator, after demonstrating the economic risks arising from the skills crisis facing the industry.

Tim’s knowledge of education and skills was reflected in his previous appointment to the board of Ofqual at a time of major education reform, and prior to this he was also a member of the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Board. Tim started his CEO journey back in 1999 as CEO of The Gas and Water National Training Organisation, leading a fledgling organisation from £400k turnover to over £7m in three years. He started out from a mining town in South Yorkshire as an apprentice service engineer with British Gas in the early 1980s, where he spent his early career.

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Alasdair Reisner

CEO, CECA & CLC Member

Alasdair has over 20 year’s experience in the UK infrastructure sector. After eight years as a journalist with Construction News he joined CECA in 2008, becoming chief executive in 2014.

In this role he is actively involved political engagement, supporting member training, client liaison activities and in cross-industry activities as a member of the Construction Leadership Council. He currently chairs the CLC’s Culture group as part of its People & Skills workstream and is supporting the civil engineering supersector element of the CLC’s competence activities.

 

 

 

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Mike Mountfield

CEO, CORDI

Mike worked and still does work within hospitality as a restaurant owner and consultant for the sector. He is also the Director of Business Development for CIDORI. A chance invitation to a college introduced Mike to further education and culinary education.

Mike combined his contacts within the industry and teaching, to become an innovative forward-thinking lecturer. His time in education saw him recognised by trade associations and received several accolades. He influenced a change to theeducation act in 2009 and became a Catey nominee (hospitality Oscars). He became Assistant Principal, responsible for construction and engineering.

Mike left further education and formed Sauce Associates and Sauce Projects, providing business development and project consultancy to a range of sectors. He is also a director of the Victual Group, which operates restaurants.

 

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Luke Moss

Skills Manager, Exeter College

Luke has contributed significantly to Exeter College's growth and impact of apprenticeships and green skills development. Over the last seven years, Luke has not only showcased his commitment to education but has also played a crucial role in bridging the green skills gap through the launch of the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP).

Luke's journey at Exeter College began as a Training and Recruitment Advisor in Apprenticeships, where he demonstrated his passion for nurturing talent and fostering partnerships with industry partners. His commitment and capability propelled him into project-based roles, focusing on collaborative initiatives to address the skills gap prevalent in the region.In his current role as the Skills Manager within the Apprenticeships and Future Skills Team, Luke's leadership has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of the Green Construction Advisory Panel (GCAP). Since its inception, GCAP has evolved into a dynamic community, connecting over 160 businesses across the UK, spanning building services, housing, and construction sectors.

Under Luke's guidance, GCAP has become a member-led committee, supported by local authorities, charities, and training providers nationwide. The committee's primary objective is to champion, enhance and advance sustainable training, development, and education opportunities within the housing and construction industry. The overarching goal is to narrow the skills gap and create accessible pathways into green careers.As Skills Manager, Luke collaborated on the launch of Exeter College's Green Skills curriculum, introducing innovative courses such as Insulation programs. Furthermore, Luke played a pivotal role in establishing the South West's first Retrofit Skills Centre, marking a significant milestone in the region's commitment to sustainable construction practices.

 

Day 1 - Sunday 16 March

14.00 Onwards- Check-in at the BACH Members desk and network with BACH Members. Please note your committee has decided to replace the printed delegate packs with the BACH Event App from Swapcard.

Please download the App or use the link on your booking confirmation. 

15.00 Onwards - Hotel check-in opens, although your room might not be available until 16.00.

18.30 Onwards -  Meet and Eat networking event, Dress casually for this relaxing informal evening with light dinner. It is a great opportunity to meet up with your colleagues from across the BACH network. We would like to thank NOCN for sponsoring this part of the event. More detail about the menu and serving times to follow. 

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Day 2 - Monday 17 March 

Breakfast served from 6:30am in hotel restaurant.

Evening Gala Dinner

Please dress appropriately to this evening event.

19.00 - Pre-dinner drink 

19.30 - Gala Dinner - Please be ready and seated by this time.

Additional details to follow closer to the event.

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Day 3 - Tuesday 18 March

Breakfast served from 6:30am in the hotel restaurant.