Creating a supportive workplace culture that prioritises health and safety is key to attracting the next generation of workers, according to Richard Stockley, managing director at leading health and safety training experts, RRC International.
The UK has made great progress in health and safety in the 50 years since the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974. But it’s really important that the windows and doors industry, and sectors like it, are able to attract the next generation of workers if we want to continue making progress.
The fenestration sector, along with 91 percent of UK businesses, is struggling to attract and retain top talent. Skills shortages are putting health and safety in jeopardy, with a lack of talented workers combining with a little to no experience and training, and increased workloads. It is creating a perfect storm for health and safety negligence.
Practical industries have been struggling to attract skilled workers for more than a decade. One major reason for this is the next generation of workers don’t think the risk-to-reward ratio of practical jobs is worth it.
Gen Z, in general, have a heightened awareness of and sensitivity to physical and mental health risks. They are not only concerned about traditional health and safety measures, but also a workplace’s impact on wellbeing and psychological safety. When you consider that they make up 30 percent of the world’s population and are expected to account for 27 percent of the workforce by 2025, their importance cannot be understated.
Almost poetically, then, the way to protect a culture of progressive health and safety is to attract the next generation of workers, and to attract the next generation of workers, you need to invest in health and safety training for all employees.
Relevant courses and qualifications include:
- IOSH Working Safely | IOSH Managing Safely: The IOSH suite of culture courses are designed to improve the safety culture within an organisation and provide employees with an understanding of how their actions contribute to safety, health, and well-being.
- NEBOSH Health and Safety at Work Award Qualification: This qualification provides the perfect introduction to those looking for a good understanding of workplace health and safety or who are looking to have more of this focus in future roles in the organisation.
- NEBOSH General Certificate: This qualification provides a broad understanding of health and safety principles and practices.
- NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work | NEBOSH Working with Wellbeing: These qualifications provide an ideal introduction to workplace stress/wellbeing and the factors that affect them.
- Mental Health First Aid Training: This training equips employees with the skills to identify, understand, and support colleagues who may be experiencing mental health issues.
- Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Training: To create an inclusive environment, organisations can provide training that raises awareness about unconscious bias, promotes diversity, and ensures fair treatment of all employees.
In Summary
Adopting a greater emphasis on holistic health and safety is vital when looking to attract, engage and retain young talent. Health and safety is no longer imperative to due diligence, but a cornerstone to recruiting the modern worker. Organisations that fail to acknowledge this will not only miss out on Gen Z talent, but risk further compromising the future of health and safety at work.
Find out more about health and safety courses available to you.
