Govt invests £140m to tackle construction skills crisis
32 so-called Homebuilding Skills Hubs will be created across the country, with places most in need of new houses prioritised.
The government, which is working on the plan alongside the Construction Industry Training Board and the National House-Building Council, has pledged £140m to create the hubs, which will all be operational by 2028.
It will mean that 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available every year. The announcement is a recognition of the lack of skilled workers in the construction industry that threatens to undermine Labour’s target of 1.5m homes over the next five years.
The purpose-built hubs will provide a “realistic working environment” for bricklayers, roofers, plasterers, scaffolders, electricians, and carpenters to train in. The fast-track apprenticeships offered by the hubs can be completed in 12-18 months, up to half the time of a traditional 24-30-month construction apprenticeship, the government said.
Minister for skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said: “This government is committed to 1.5m homes being built across this parliament while breaking down barriers to opportunity by fixing our broken skills system.
“If we are to meet this ambitious target and fix the foundations of our economy, we need to ensure we have a skilled workforce, and give more apprentices a foot on the career ladder.”
She added: “The need to boost our country’s skills is crucial to our mission-driven government, and I am pleased that this initiative will give apprentices skills to seize opportunity.”
Dave Dargan, co-founder of modular contractor Starship, said: “It’s reassuring to see the government remain unwavering in its commitment to delivering 1.5m new homes during its tenure, though I have always questioned how this ambitious goal could be achieved without additional investment in tackling the ongoing construction skills shortage.
“Over the years, the industry has seen a large exodus of highly skilled workers which has only made the challenge more profound. The government’s pledge to invest £140m in establishing dedicated homebuilding skills hubs is a promising step forward and I am eager to see it come to fruition. If this new programme will indeed create 5,000 additional construction apprenticeship places every year, then this will be a massive step in the right direction. However, it is crucial that these hubs provide hands-on, practical experience, allowing young people to gain insight into careers in construction.”