Competencies framework
Skills planning is about organising and developing resources to make sure that:
- our frameworks are delivered consistently by members and their supply chain
- the supply chain is supported with learning and development content, to help meet MHA+ business objectives in the short, medium and long term
Effective engagement will support the delivery of MHA+ priorities and objectives for skills development. Activities include:
- analysing the current and future skills needed
- developing a competencies framework linked to the MHA+ portfolio
The MHA+ Competency Framework (PDF, 145KB) has been designed to identify MHA+ learning, training and development priorities, and to:
- make sure learning and development opportunities support the achievement of defined MHA+ competencies, both behavioural and technical, that will help us achieve our long-term goals, including supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)
- expand the breadth of our learning and development opportunities for the supply chain, to help upskill, and build capacity and capability
What is the MHA+ Skills Framework (MHAF)?
The MHAF uses four levels, showing how the skills needed change for people in different roles. It’s relevant to all alliance members, whatever their role, experience or level of training, whether that’s level 2 and 3 qualifications or graduate and postgraduate level.
The MHAF has drawn on other qualification and review frameworks, including the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) competency frameworks, which identify the key behaviours needed to achieve high performance, and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) professional review guidance, 2022 (PDF, 785KB). It augments a range of other competence-based frameworks relevant to specific professions.
The framework groups roles into 4 categories, using the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2020 as a proxy, to group together roles that are similar in terms of qualifications, training, skills and experience. The Construction Skills Network uses these same groupings to categorise occupational groups and roles, using SOC reference codes. The Construction Skills Network’s Skills Contruction Needs report (PDF, 5.58MB), provides useful data on the skills and occupations likely to need prioritising.
CITB has published a report, The Industry Picture 2026, combining insight and data to create a clear, accessible view of the whole industry, its circumstances and the skills and people needs.
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) published the Industry Skills Plan 2023 to 24, in April 2023 to support the net zero challenge, and to help young people into high-skilled, well-paid jobs.
Who is it for?
The MHAF is relevant to everyone who works on MHA+ schemes, projects or programmes. It’s been developed as a useful framework to bring together the competencies needed by people working in different service areas, with different vocational and professional backgrounds.
You can find a range of relevant learning, training and development through the learning gateway, and through the MHA+ Learning Management System (LMS).
MHA+ Competencies Framework (MHACF)
The MHACF sets out the skills and knowledge expected across the alliance. It allows a consistent analysis of current skills and knowledge against the MHACF competencies. Where there are gaps, training and resources will be available to help close them.
We’ll use the MHACF in discussion with training providers, to assess how far their learning outcomes and training content support these defined competencies.
How is it organised?
The competencies vary depending on staff group (A to D) and level of skill (1 to 4) within the MHACF.
Each competency is numbered, and acts as an indicator of effective performance. These indicators can be used as a guide when evaluating skills and knowledge, helping to judge current levels of skills and knowledge, how these are used, how necessary they are in the work environment, and how far they support upskilling, and building workforce capacity and capability.