Skills in the UK Construction Industry | Construction News

Minister calls on construction firms to back jobcentre hiring push

Colin Marrs — Fri, 09 May 2025 11:45:29 +0000

A government minister has urged construction firms to get involved with an expanded initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment via funded training. Employment minister Alison McGovern said a revamped recruitment programme – the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) – is being scaled up to help…

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The energy transition needs talent – and we need to keep it moving

Contributor — Thu, 08 May 2025 09:11:18 +0000

Stephen Tomkins is Balfour Beatty’s project director at Hinkley Point C The UK’s energy market stands at a critical juncture. As the country accelerates its transition towards renewables, the demand for skilled professionals has never been greater. However, the industry faces an undeniable challenge: a…

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How to fix construction’s skill pathways

Contributor — Tue, 06 May 2025 10:13:13 +0000

James Farr, director at post-16 skills and training consultancy Think In the construction industry, facing complex challenges is part of the daily routine, whether it’s managing budgets, navigating supply chains or ensuring a project is built to the highest standard. But there’s another pressing puzzle…

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University College of Estate Management announces rebrand

Colin Marrs — Tue, 06 May 2025 07:50:53 +0000

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? The University College of Estate Management is to rebrand as the University of the Built Environment from next month, following a consultation by the Office for Students (OfS). The new title will formally…

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Scottish plumbing sector at ‘breaking point’ amid skills crisis

Ian Weinfass — Fri, 02 May 2025 11:37:15 +0000

The plumbing and heating profession in Scotland is at “breaking point” due to skills shortages, according to a trade body. A survey by the Plumbing and Heating Federation has revealed that 69 per cent of businesses north of the border are experiencing low availability of…

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The defence boom: a lifeline for UK construction?

Contributor — Fri, 02 May 2025 09:57:25 +0000

Mark Leeson is operations director at consultancy McBains Will the government’s recent defence-spending boost provide ammunition to help spark construction’s recovery? To say recent construction industry forecasts have been downbeat would be an understatement, what with consultancy Arcadis’ market-view report predicting a painfully slow revival…

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Tribunal rejects kitchen firm bid to escape CITB levy

Joshua Stein — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:45:59 +0000

A subcontractor specialising in kitchen and bathroom refurbishments has failed in its attempt to avoid paying the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) levy. Dunstable-based 3D Force Ltd had argued that it should not have been subject to the levy, and had been charged too much…

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CITB outlines £290m investment in latest business plan

Ben Vogel — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:34:55 +0000

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has unveiled its latest business plan, envisaging spending almost £290m in the next 12 months to help the sector address its long-term skills crisis. Published today (16…

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Scottish bodies back apprenticeship reform but demand clearer governance

Ben Vogel — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:17:14 +0000

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? Scotland’s main electrical training organisations have welcomed government proposals to overhaul apprenticeship funding, but have warned that the reforms must deliver greater transparency and efficiency. Trade body SELECT and the Scottish Electrical Charitable…

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CITB nearly doubles NEST apprentice support

Ben Vogel — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:42:32 +0000

This story was written with AI assistance from Harmsworth Who is Harmsworth? The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has helped more than 4,000 apprentices join the construction sector in 2024-25 through its New Entrant Support Team initiative. The team supported 4,128 apprenticeship starts over the…

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