The UK government has unveiled a major initiative to address the construction industry’s skills shortage, launching a new Construction Skills Mission Board alongside a £600m investment in training. This ambitious plan aims to bring around 60,000 new workers into the sector.
So, how will this funding be allocated and what does it mean for the future of construction? Read on to find out more.
A strategic plan to strengthen the workforce
The newly established Construction Skills Mission Board will oversee the implementation of a sector-wide action plan, ensuring strategic leadership for skills development. The board will be co-chaired by a government minister and an industry leader, with Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Mace, stepping into the industry role.
Where the funding will go
The government’s financial commitment will be distributed across various initiatives aimed at training and upskilling workers:
- Technical Excellence Colleges: £100m will be allocated to establish ten new colleges dedicated to high-quality construction training.
- Expanding Construction Courses: £165m will be invested in existing colleges to broaden their construction-related offerings.
- Skills Bootcamps: £100m will fund sector-specific bootcamps, helping newcomers, career returners and those looking to upskill.
- Industry Partnerships: £20m will be available for all Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas to boost the number of teachers with construction experience via collaborative efforts between construction firms and educational institutions.
- Foundation Apprenticeships: Launching in August 2025, these apprenticeships will receive a £40m boost, with employers benefiting from a £2,000 incentive for each apprentice they recruit and retain.
- Industry Placements: Over 40,000 placements for Level 2 and Level 3 learners will be funded annually through a £100m government investment, supplemented by £32m from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
- Support for SMEs: CITB plans to double the size of its New Entrant Support Team (NEST) to help small and medium-sized businesses attract and retain apprentices.
- Employer-Led Training: An additional £80m capital fund will support companies looking to deliver in-house training programmes.
What industry leaders are saying
Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board, welcomed the investment, stating:
“This is fantastic news and demonstrates that government is committed to working with the construction industry to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament and its ambitious plans for infrastructure delivery. It’s a hugely significant funding package, and the establishment of the Construction Skills Mission Board will enable us to collaborate with government to drive change at pace.”
CITB Chief Executive, Tim Balcon, also praised the initiative:
“This package will provide vital support where it is needed most – it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5 million new homes for people that desperately need them. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance for us to recruit and train our workforce.”
What’s next for the industry?
With this significant investment, the construction sector is poised to tackle the ongoing labour shortage and equip new workers with essential skills. However, success will depend on how quickly these initiatives can be brought into effect along with how effectively the industry embraces these opportunities.
What do you think?
Will this funding be enough to plug the skills gaps in construction or does more need to be done? Share your thoughts in the comments over on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.
24.03.2025
Feature image: Freepik
