Thousands of people are set to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector as the Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall attend the inaugural Construction Skills Mission Board.

The event was also attended by CEOs from across the sector, marking the industry’s commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament.

More than 40,000 industry placements will be funded through a further £100 million from the government, alongside a £32 million contribution from the CITB.

This comes alongside a £1 billion employment support package to support more disabled people and those with health conditions back into work. This is a quadrupling of the level of annual spend on supporting sick and disabled people into work, from the £275 million in 2024/25 we inherited, to over £1 billion in 2029/30.

The boost marks a significant step in delivering the Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million new homes, which is underpinned by £39 billion for affordable and social housing over ten years, announced at the Spending Review.

Ministers attending the first Construction Skills Mission Board meeting highlighted major reforms to transform Jobcentres as well as the £625 million investment to tackle skills shortages in the construction sector – expected to create up to 60,000 more jobs for engineers, electricians and joiners by the end of the parliament.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

“Building 1.5 million homes takes investment, skills, and a government that’s ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver. And that is exactly what we are doing.

“Our Plan for Change commits to delivering the biggest boost for affordable and social housing in a generation, which we’ve backed with a £39 billion investment over ten years.

“We’re working hand-in-hand with industry to recruit thousands more workers into skilled construction jobs, and thanks to our Make Work Pay reforms we will ensure these jobs are more secure and better rewarded.”

Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council and Co-Chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board, said:

“The Construction Skills Mission Board represents a new partnership between industry and government, working together to find industry-led, collaborative solutions to delivering the workforce of the future.

“I am delighted that we have seen such strong support from Ministers and some of the most important leaders in our sector – and I hope everyone will play their part in the delivery of this essential mission.

“Construction will be essential to delivering growth and investment across the UK; and so it is vital that we now step up as a sector.”