Training The Next Generation Of Construction Workers

A £600 million package to train 60,000 construction workers by 2029 is changing the game for the next generation of construction workers. Is the future of construction in safe hands?

Construction is an appealing industry for young people, new research shows, with two in three of those aged 16 to 24 holding a positive view of construction careers, according to a new report by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The same survey found that more than three in 10 respondents would consider working in the sector.

To meet this demand for skilled construction jobs, the government has launched a new Construction Skills Mission Board. This well-funded initiative will inaugurate 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges to develop advanced technical training in trades and engineering.

Construction careers boost

Ahead of her Spring Statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged the vital role construction workers will play in achieving the government’s growth goals. “We are determined to get Britain building again, that’s why we are taking on the blockers to build 1.5 million new homes and a third runway at Heathrow,” she said, before adding “none of this is possible without the engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to actually get the work done, which we are facing a massive shortage of.”

To get Britain building, the government is launching new foundation apprenticeships in construction, as part of a £40-million package. Employers will be incentivised to retain workers under the scheme, with a £2,000 reward for each apprentice retained.

Better careers advice needed

When asked to choose words to describe construction roles, two of the top four answers were “highly skilled” and “professional”. Yet, almost three in 10 said they do not believe careers in construction are accessible to young people. Indeed, despite the popularity of construction among young people, some 47% of respondents noted that construction was not included in the careers advice they received in education.

David Barnes, head of policy and public affairs at CIOB, commented: “If government is to realise its ambition to provide safe and warm homes for all and improved infrastructure, more needs to change to bolster the current construction workforce and develop a pipeline of competent people entering the industry.”

To close this access gap, the CIOB suggests a dedicated built environment GCSE could help generate interest in the sector. More than half of the young people surveyed would be interested in studying a built environment GCSE, the research found. Likewise, almost eight in 10 parents of young people aged between 16 and 24 said they would be supportive of their child working in construction.

In addition to educational changes, the government also plans to extend more funding to Skills Bootcamps, which offer short-term training to new entrants and those upskilling or returning to the sector.