The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has called on the sector to embrace well-being in their business culture, to address the ongoing skills shortage.

Well-being is a growing trend, and one which is here to stay. However, while research has shown that it is vital in attracting and retaining individuals, it is not yet a major focus on all business agendas.

In this tough economic climate, there is increasing competition for talent across all industries. Understanding the impact of well-being will go a long way in not only attracting fresh new talent, but also in retaining industry stalwarts.

An organisation that considers the well-being of its workforce will be a popular choice as an employer. Indeed, it has been proven that employees who feel comfortable in their working environment will feel more loyal and connected to their organisation and will go that extra mile in their work.

In 2016, sick days in the UK cost over £137 million to businesses. With most individuals spending over 90 percent of their time indoors, it is imperative that our working environment brings out the best in us, rather than making us ill, unproductive or unhappy.

Therefore, if well-being is embedded into the business culture, the building controls industry will reap huge benefits. This in turn will lead to a sustainable future and see the sector flourish.

In this technologically advanced age, buildings are now expected to be intelligent. This needs to evolve to include smart working environments which can be adapted to the needs of individuals.

Malcolm Anson, president of the BCIA concluded: “As I see it, well-being is something that needs to be taken into account across the whole built environment. By being proactive and considering individuals’ needs, we can help address the country’s ongoing skills shortage.”