Access Training: Addressing the Construction Skills Shortage

The Labour government plans to build 1.5 million homes in England over the next five years. However, the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has warned that this plan may be difficult to execute due to a shortage of over 150,000 skilled construction workers.

Tim Balcon, CEO of CITB, stated that new planning laws aiming to increase homebuilding will not succeed without significant improvements in skills training. He noted, “We simply do not have enough workers in the construction industry right now,” and indicated that up to 152,000 additional workers are needed for Labour’s house building plans.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has committed to “get Britain building again” after previous Conservative and Labour governments have failed to meet housing targets over the years. This month, the government will introduce major changes to the National Planning Policy Framework - this includes reinstating the compulsory housing targets for councils.

Current Challenges in the Construction Industry

In May 2024, the CITB estimated that the construction sector will require 251,500 additional workers over the next five years to meet current demand, even before Labour announced their goal of building 1.5 million new homes. The challenges that the industry is currently facing include an ageing workforce and changes to UK immigration rules post-Brexit, which have reduced the number of immigrant construction workers.

The construction industry lost 10,000 workers in 2023, reducing the workforce to 2.67 million. The demand for more workers in trades such as electrics, joinery, and plumbing is urgent. Large projects and utility companies such as the National Grid, and Thames Water have reported that labour shortages are affecting costs and future project timelines.

How We Can Help

Access Training is ready to help bridge the skills gap in the construction industry through:

• Diverse Training Programs: We offer courses in essential trades such as gas, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. These programs are designed to provide the skills and qualifications needed to meet the industry’s demands.
• Flexible Learning Options: Our training includes full-time, part-time, and intensive courses, catering to different schedules and learning preferences.
• Practical Experience: Our courses focus on hands-on training, ensuring students are job-ready and meet industry standards.
• Career Development: We provide ongoing career support and development opportunities, helping trainees advance and stay up to date with current industry practices.

Labour aims to build an average of 300,000 new homes per year during this parliament, an increase from the previous average of 210,000. To achieve this, the industry workforce must grow significantly, with every 10,000 additional homes requiring 30,000 more workers.

The government has committed to working with the industry to build the necessary workforce. “We will work in partnership with councils, housing associations, and the wider sector to ensure we hit our ambitious target and build the homes Britain needs,” a government spokesperson said.

By providing high-quality, flexible training, Access Training can play a huge role in helping the UK meet its construction goals and build a skilled workforce for the future.