The UK government has announced a £600 million investment to train up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers ahead of the Spring Statement next week. This move aims to deliver well-paid jobs across the country in the construction sector and support the building of 1.5 million homes to transform communities by the end of this Parliament.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized the importance of addressing the significant shortages in the construction sector, which currently has over 35,000 job vacancies. Employers report that more than half of these vacancies cannot be filled due to a lack of required skills, making it the sector with the highest rate of skills shortages.
The funding and reforms announced will focus on several key areas, including:
– *Technical Excellence Colleges*: £100 million will be invested in 10 new colleges to provide specialized training in construction skills.
– *Construction Courses*: £165 million will be allocated to help colleges deliver more construction courses, ensuring a sustainable flow of skilled workers.
– *Skills Bootcamps*: £100 million will be used to expand Skills Bootcamps in the construction sector, providing training for new entrants, returners, and those looking to upskill.
– *Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)*: £20 million will be allocated to form partnerships between colleges and construction companies, boosting the number of teachers with construction experience.
– *Foundation Apprenticeships*: £40 million will be invested in new foundation apprenticeships, launching in August 2025, to inspire young people to join the construction industry.
– *Industry Placements*: £100 million of government funding, alongside a £32 million contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), will support over 40,000 industry placements each year for Level 2 and Level 3 learners.
– *Construction Skills Mission Board*: A new board will be established to develop and deliver a construction skills action plan, providing strategic leadership to the construction sector.
These measures aim to address the significant skills shortages in the construction sector, which is crucial for driving economic growth and delivering the government’s Plan for Change. By investing in the training and development of construction workers, the government hopes to create secure, well-paid, and in-demand jobs that will benefit working people and fuel economic growth.
