The construction industry in the UK is set for a major boost, with 5,000 additional apprenticeship places to be created each year, thanks to a £140m investment by the industry. This initiative aims to accelerate housebuilding across the country and support the government’s mission to drive economic growth.
Central to this effort are 32 pioneering Homebuilding Skills Hubs that will roll out fast-track training programs in areas most in need of housing. These purpose-built hubs will provide apprentices with hands-on training in realistic working environments, offering specialised instruction in essential construction trades such as:
- Bricklaying
- Roofing
- Electrical work
- Carpentry and joinery
By equipping apprentices with vital, practical skills, these hubs aim to address the skills shortage in the construction industry and enable local areas to meet housing demands.
The industry investment includes:
- Funding will support training hubs and provide financial incentives for businesses to hire apprentices.
- A total of 32 hubs will be set up across England by 2028.
- Each hub will focus on local housing needs and gaps in the construction workforce.
- Training will be tailored to fast-track skills acquisition in key trades, enabling apprentices to become job-ready within 12–18 months compared to the standard 3–4 years.
- Target: Training 5,000 apprentices annually to strengthen the construction workforce.
- Collaboration between the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), National House-Building Council (NHBC), and Skills England.
- Focus on using existing infrastructure, technology, and expertise to deliver efficient training programmes.
- Part of the strategy to meet the goal of building 1.5m homes by 2030.
- Estimated to create thousands of skilled jobs, boosting local economies.
- Incentivises businesses to invest in apprenticeships with grants, increasing overall workforce participation.
- Rollout to begin immediately, with full implementation expected by 2028.
- A phased approach to ensure hubs meet regional demands.