Sean Keyes, CEO of Sutcliffe Engineering and Treasurer of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering, discusses his approach to the skills challenge, important policies and flagship projects.
“Sutcliffe, established in the 1980s, is a leading civil and structural engineering consultancy based in Liverpool. Its 60- strong team of experts is dedicated to providing innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions, whether for a large-scale infrastructure development, social housing scheme, healthcare or blue light project, or educational institution. Sutcliffe is committed to engineering excellence and client satisfaction.
At Sutcliffe’s, we know our job is all about people, creating the best public service buildings for the people that will use them. We design schools, colleges, hospitals and social housing including starter homes to help people on to the property ladder, making sure that these buildings will be fit for purpose in the future for the local communities they serve is crucial. To achieve this, we work very closely with the local communities where the projects are based.
The biggest challenge is attracting the right young people to grow our business.
We have several ways of approaching this challenge. Firstly, we aim to recruit locally so that we have young people from the local communities involved in our projects and who have an interest in the projects and who understand what their local community needs. We also invest in STEM projects in those locations so that young people learn what engineering is about at an early stage and we try to encourage as many young people and especially women into the profession as we can by being active volunteers in schools and colleges as much as possible.
We have found that with Generation Z applicants, there can be a little mismatch between what engineering entails and what they are expecting from a job. This is why education about the profession at an early stage is important, it’s not just about communicating that the job is not all hard hats and being on-site but there many office and desk-based roles that include visiting client’s offices, not necessarily on-site. Essentially, we want recruits who have a positive and dedicated attitude.
We work hard to create a fun environment by fundraising for local charities we care about but in a fun way like hosting balls or other charitable events that our employees can enjoy as well as fundraising or volunteering in addition to, all the good work we do in schools and colleges.
Our aim is to meet our recruitment needs while also adding social value. Our commitment to social value has always extended far beyond the balance sheets. While the national average dropout rate for apprenticeships hovers around 44%, we have achieved a remarkable 100% success rate. How? By inviting potential apprentices to spend three months with us before committing. Only those who truly resonate with our mission and vision stay. It’s not just about technical aptitude; it’s about finding good people who are eager to learn and possess the essential social skills. And yes, we do our best to make sure that the young people enjoy their test period—it’s part of our DNA. If we are not the right fit for them, we take an active supporting role to help them find a more suitable position and offer informal mentoring so that they have a sounding board.
Building Homes, Building Lives.
We whole heartedly welcome the Government’s intention for more housebuilding, not just because it benefits our business, everybody benefits from a good home and dreams of having their own home. It’s not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating spaces where families thrive, communities flourish and we find solutions to migration challenges. Starter social homes are our way of getting people on the property ladder. We believe everyone deserves a chance to build their future: let’s build homes that matter.
Investing in Our Nation’s Health
The NHS is the heartbeat of our nation. We need to invest in the fabric of our healthcare system and upgrade hospitals with better facilities. We were pleased to see that doctors and nurses were given a pay rise. Healthy citizens make a healthy society.
Education: Beyond Regional Boundaries
Our schools shape the future. Primary and secondary education deserves attention. Let’s create school buildings fit for the future—spaces that inspire learning, curiosity, and growth. And this isn’t a regional issue; it’s a national imperative. Every child deserves the best.
The PFI Conundrum
At Sutcliffe we’re sceptical about Private Finance Initiatives (PFIs) but there are other models that are not so expensive for local communities. For schools and hospitals, we advocate a traditional model, certified by independent bodies. Transparency matters, especially when communities foot the bill.
Learning and Growing
Our journey isn’t without bumps. But we learn. We adapt. We extend and grow on the good things. Working on flagship projects like the Royal Liverpool Hospital and Tobacco Warehouse remind us of our purpose. Each project teaches us, and we’re committed to continuous improvement.
There will always be challenges in our sector and we’re pleased to see that Government is looking to provide security of pipeline and funding so that we can all plan for the resources and particularly the skilled staff we need. Combining good ethics, investing in our local communities, creating social value and a positive work environment are all key to attracting talent in the fiercely competitive landscape we operate in. Our employees gain from our ACE membership through networking and learning opportunities and at a company level we gain from being one strong voice to speak out about the policies that matter to our sector. I personally also enjoy the opportunity to give back and share knowledge for the future of engineering. My role on ACE’s Board helps me to keep abreast of what clients and large engineering consultants are planning as well as enjoy my passion for numbers. I’ve always been happy to meet any challenges that come my way and being part of the stewardship team for a great organisation like ACE, dedicated to sharing best practice and solutions to the right stakeholders in Government and our industry, is a rewarding way to add value.
