5,000 additional construction apprenticeship places are to be made available annually as part of a £140 million initiative aimed at addressing workforce shortages and meeting housebuilding targets.

Central to this plan is the establishment of 32 new Homebuilding Skills Hubs, which are designed to accelerate training.

What will the Homebuilding Skills Hubs offer?

The hubs, which will be purpose-built training centres, will aim to provide a fast-track route into key construction trades such as bricklaying, roofing, plastering, scaffolding, and carpentry. These centres will replicate realistic working environments, offering apprentices hands-on experience.

Notably, the fast-track apprenticeships available through these hubs can be completed in 12 to 18 months, which is significantly shorter than the traditional 24 to 30 months. This streamlined approach is intended to supply the industry with skilled workers more quickly and hopes to address labour shortages and boost housebuilding efforts.

The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the government, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and the National House-Building Council (NHBC). Skills England will also play a key role in identifying areas most in need of construction workers.

Government and industry perspectives

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP underlined the importance of a skilled workforce for meeting the government’s housebuilding target. He said: “A skilled and efficient construction sector is essential to building 1.5 million new homes in this parliament.”

Key industry figures have voiced support for the initiative. Roger Morton, Director of NHBC Training Hubs, highlighted the role of the hubs in addressing skill gaps:  “Our £100 million investment in a national network of 12 NHBC Multi-Skills Training Hubs will train quality apprentices and help shape the future of UK house building. Our intensive training will produce skilled tradespeople faster, equipping them to hit the ground running from day one.”

Challenges and implications for the construction industry

While this initiative represents a significant investment in skills development, the construction sector continues to face several challenges:

  • Labour shortages: With an ageing workforce and uncertainty around the availability of skilled workers post-Brexit, it remains to be seen whether these hubs can scale quickly enough to meet demand.
  • Economic uncertainty: The broader economic environment, including inflation and interest rates, could impact housing demand and the ability of firms to invest in training and apprenticeships.
  • Implementation timeline: With all hubs scheduled to be operational by 2028, there are questions about how quickly they will be able to make a significant contribution to immediate housing needs.

What’s next?

Construction firms should monitor developments, particularly in areas where the hubs will be established. You could also consider how fast-track apprenticeships could be integrated into your workforce strategy.

See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-skills-hubs-launched-to-get-britain-building