Supporting Construction Professionals with Dyslexia achieve their MCIOB Ambitions

In the summer of 2022, CIOB Education decided to review the support we provide to your Professional Review candidates with dyslexia and this started a journey into understanding dyslexia.

We contacted the Dyslexia Institute UK and have since been working with Roger Broadbent, CEO. 

Our aim was to understand the obstacles people with dyslexia face, when presented with a 20-page set of guidance notes and an application document of 5000 words. 

Roger presented an insightful training session for CIOB staff. Stigmatisation of dyslexia is still evident within the Education system and the workplace. This impacts on an individual’s confidence and self-belief in their abilities to progress in their career.

The construction industry has a long history of welcoming people from all sorts of backgrounds. People with dyslexia have attributes that are so useful to the industry. Creative thinking, problem-solving, sense of humour and good teamwork are all valued, and neurodiversity should be no barrier to career progression. 

So far we have a set of adapted application documents for the Professional Review to help people achieve their ambition of achieving MCIOB and we congratulated our first member using these adapted documents. 

Insight from Matthew Weekes MCIOB, our first member using our adapted documents

My name is Matthew Weekes, and I’m currently a Building inspector. I first became an incorporated member of the CIOB. This was the start of my journey in becoming a full member.

The application was very daunting for me as I suffer with dyslexia. I had the experience but found it very hard to put it down in words. I attempted filling the application form in for several years, starting and stopping. It was a big relief to me, receiving a telephone call from the CIOB.

After they had heard I suffered with dyslexia from a working group I attended. It was lovely to hear that they understood the problems and challenges that people face with dyslexia. Explaining that they would take spelling mistakes and grammar into consideration, if I submitted my application form, also offering an interview if required. This really put me at ease, giving me the confidence finally to submit my application form, which I did, and now I’m delighted to say I am MCIOB.

This will now help me grow further in my career within the construction industry. I am also proud now to offer my services back to CIOB, to help others with the same challenges I have had to become a chartered member.

We are continuing to work with Dyslexia Institute UK and in addition to looking at our Professional Review process we are looking at:

• Running a course through the Academy
• Achieving a Dyslexia Friendly logo
• Research into dyslexia in the industry

Thoughts from Roger Broadbent, CEO, Dyslexia Institute UK

It has been a real pleasure to collaborate with Mandy Mills, Head of Quality and Joanne Bennett, Senior Training and Development Manager, on this project.

People with dyslexia are often drawn to professions like construction, as they can get employment at entry level without many qualifications. Also, the natural skills of a dyslexic individual make them ideal candidates for many roles in construction. It was interesting to explore some of these aspects in the CIOB Dyslexia Project.

Mandy approached the Dyslexia Institute UK in June 2022, and wanted to learn more about dyslexia. Both she and Jo wanted to provide training for their team, followed up with training for the CIOB education staff. The aim being to be more understanding and supportive of the condition for CIOB staff and members. This training was very well received, Understanding Dyslexia and secondly for trainers In the Mind of the Dyslexic Builder (Student/Applicant).

Mandy and Jo are determined not to stop there. They want the CIOB to qualify for Dyslexia Friendly status, so they can publicise how far they have come in regard to the condition of dyslexia. Also, as there has been so little research in the area of dyslexia in construction, Mandy would like to see the CIOB invest in some research.

We are extremely pleased with how far the CIOB have come on the journey of discovery with dyslexia. Which is very satisfying as so many workers in this industry will be dyslexic.

It has been an excellent initiative to be involved with.