Loss of talent a big challenge for construction sector

Andy Clifton of Topcon will tell the CIF conference the sector needs to promote and highlight the exciting times it is facing with the emergence of new technologies and construction methods

What's your name?

Andy Clifton

What position do you hold?

Applications Engineer – Geospatial with Topcon Positioning GB Limited

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

My core responsibilities are training and support for our equipment users. I cover the geospatial and machine control sections of our business. I am also our education ambassador, supporting schools and colleges with their geospatial and civil engineering needs with Topcon. I have been working with the Class of Your Own team since their conception in 2009 - the award-winning 'Design Engineer Construct' learning programme was created a decade ago by UK social business Class Of Your Own.

Andy Clifton

What is your professional background?

I have worked for Topcon and its subsidiaries for nearly 20 years. Working in varied roles across the business, I have spent the last five years specialising in training in the geospatial and machine control sector.

Tell me about yourself away from work?

A lover of the great outdoors. Whether that is the simple daily walk with the dog along the stunning South Wales coastline, or yomping across mountains and hills, outside is my happy place.

Tell us something very few people know about you?

I am a Lego addict! I have a bigger collection than my young niece and nephew combined!

You are speaking at the 2019 Construction Industry Federation conference. What are you speaking about?

I’m on the panel discussing: “Meeting the challenge head on: What are the critical drivers to building the industry’s future workforce?”

What challenges do you see for the construction sector?

The biggest challenge I see is losing upcoming talent to competing sectors. The built environment still has a stigma of being a job of manual labour for young people making their further education choices. We need to promote and highlight the exciting times we are facing in construction with the emergence of new technologies and construction methods.

Where would you like to see the industry in 10 years’ time?

Being an efficient and inclusive industry. Embracing new ways of thinking and working. Getting away from the age-old adage of “we’ve always done it this way” to think about how we are going to shape our world with an eye on protecting and enhancing the environment for all.

Andy Clifton will be speaking at theCIF conference on Wednesday October 2nd in Croke Park in Dublin