Multiplex is to offer data apprenticeships to all its UK staff in partnership with a start-up founded by Euan Blair, son of former prime minister Tony Blair.
A total of 27 people from across different functions of the business have enrolled in the first cohort of trainees.
Multiplex said the deal with Blair’s company Multiverse was part of a bid to improve quality, efficiency and sustainability through the use of data. It also hopes to offer its people retraining and development opportunities.
Research by the UK government has found that almost a quarter of employees use data skills in their work. But estimates suggest that a shortage of skills in this area is costing UK businesses £2bn a year. In 2019, one-in-10 job vacancies required data expertise, while more than 100,000 data positions remain unfilled.
Two data programmes
Employees that participate in the upskilling opportunity will be enrolled on one of two data programmes provided by Multiverse. The 13-month Data Literacy programme covers the core technical skills required to transform data into insights, as well as softer skills like building narratives and presenting findings.
Meanwhile, the 15-month Data Fellowship will give apprentices the skills to clean, analyse and model data, and relate data stories to non-specialists.
Tom Loader, director of digital and transformation at Multiplex, said: “We view the ability to manage, interpret and communicate data as one of the key pillars of a modern construction skillset. Launching this apprenticeship programme is one of our initiatives to empower our people with just those in-demand skills.
“Not only are we supporting our clients and supply chain, but this is importantly also an investment in our staff, who will benefit throughout their careers from their apprenticeship experience. The investment will also aid the retention and attraction of talent in a competitive market.”
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