Birmingham-based construction company Fusion Building Consultancy is committed to providing career opportunities for mature trainees from outside the industry to secure the most talented people and combat the skills shortage.

The company provides surveying graduates with a comprehensive training programme to support them as they gain their professional qualifications but has now invested in two trainees who have a passion for the industry but started their careers in other industries.

A report by Construction Skills on the state of the building industry, earlier this year predicted that 80,000 new workers are needed each year between now and 2011. These jobs include engineers and surveyors as well as electricians and plumbers. The Construction Centre commented that this shortfall would put a massive strain on the industry and with projects such as the 2012 Olympics creating concentrated areas of work; the industry could face a skills crisis.

Mark Snutch and Rachel Albutt both developed a keen interest in construction and turned to Fusion to help them progress their dream jobs in the sector.

Mark, an assistant building surveyor for Fusion, originally started his working life in leisure and fitness as an operations manager in London, but was disappointed with the prospects for future career progression. Mark had begun to project manage small refurbishment projects in a number of health clubs in London and, having a background in the construction sector, Mark decided to move back to his Midlands’ roots and pursue his aspiration of becoming a surveyor.

Mark has already completed an MSc in Construction at the University of Central England, with the company allowing him one day’s leave per week to attend the two-year course.

Mark comments: “Fusion first appealed to me because it is a niche consultancy company and I felt I would be exposed to a more rounded variety of work. I have had fantastic on the job training and followed a structured APC training programme once my MSc was completed, in order for me to gain my Chartered status.”

Mark’s responsibilities include undertaking building surveys, condition surveys, dilapidation surveys together with negotiating claims on behalf of landlords and tenants, development monitoring, project management and contract administration.

Mark is hoping to gain his Chartered status this December. He comments: “The diversity of work is excellent at Fusion and every day is different which gives a great all-round experience. Fusion also acknowledges your main areas of interest and tries wherever possible to involve you in such projects accordingly.”

Colleague Rachel Albutt is a Construction Design and Management coordinator for Fusion, mainly covering health and safety issues. Rachel spent 18 years working for NatWest bank in Birmingham, Bristol and London. After taking a break in commercial lending, Rachel decided to take on a new challenge back in Birmingham.
Rachel believes she joined a growing company with a vision. “The directors and I recognised the need to provide a specialist resource that is focused on the health and safety elements of construction projects. Fusion has supported me in a number of training courses including NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety & Health), General Certificate and Certificate in Construction Safety and a Fire Safety and Risk Management course.”
Rachel continues: “Fusion’s diversity has enabled me to work on a vast and exciting range of projects from the construction of new roads to high tech educational buildings, the refurbishment of factories and dental practices and Savile Row retail stores. I enjoy the mix and I love being given the opportunity to work on different projects all over the country.”
“We are committed to attracting the best people who have the skills and the aptitude to move our business forward. Mark and Rachel have both shown tremendous dedication and proved that it is not necessary to have a relevant degree or background to build a successful career,” says Fusion director Steven Jelfs.

Fusion Building Consultancy was formed in spring 2002 and is based in Ludgate Hill, employing 10 people. It works with a variety of national and local clients on medium to multi-million pound contracts.

Email: paula@jbpr.biz