Archive for category: General News

‘We’re heading into a construction boom’ and apprentices are key to filling the skills gap – Mayor says as National Apprenticeships Week gets underway

Thousands of extra construction workers will be needed across the West Midlands in the next few years to meet a building boom, and apprenticeships are set to play a vital role, according to the region’s Mayor.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) says around 4,000 extra workers will be needed annually including carpenters, bricklayers, electricians and plumbers, as well as people for technical roles like surveying and engineering, to help build 12,200 new homes a year and to work on a £160m retrofit scheme to make thousands of homes more energy efficient.

One way of meeting the demand for extra workers is by filling vacancies through the recruitment and training of young people leaving school, further education or higher education – and apprenticeships offer a way to do that – the Mayor of the West Midlands said as National Apprenticeship Week got underway on February 9.

Richard Parker, the region’s Mayor, recently announced a £75 million skills package to train more than 12,000 people over the next three years to help tackle the region’s shortage of construction workers – with apprentices expected to be key to supporting the growth. The skills package is being led by Dudley College’s Technical Excellence Hub – one of just 10 across the country that will focus on teaching the skills most needed by construction firms.

The Mayor also pledged to work with employers to create 20,000 work experience, training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the region – with more than 17,000 placements already created.

Mr Parker said:

“Apprenticeships offer a great way for employers to attract future talent as well as upskilling and reskilling their existing workforce.

“We’re heading into a construction boom that will power new jobs, new homes and new opportunities right across the region and I’m calling on businesses to sign up to the pledge and take on apprentices.

“By backing investment in apprenticeships and training we can make sure that local people get the first shot at the good jobs being created and make sure that businesses can draw on local talent with the latest skills.”

The Mayor’s call to action comes during National Apprenticeship Week, running until15, which aims to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the economy.

The Mayor is also working with On The Tools, the nation’s largest online construction community, to remind SMEs of the benefits of taking on apprentices.

Lee Wilcox, co-founder and CEO of On The Tools, said:

“Apprenticeships only work when people are placed into the right roles, with the right support around them. Through On The Tools, we’re helping connect apprentices and businesses in a way that reflects how construction actually works on the ground. Supporting the Mayor’s pledge is about making it easier for SMEs to take someone on – and making sure apprentices get a proper start in the trade.”

Max Worton, aged 16, is one of thousands of young people choosing to take the apprenticeship route into employment being highlighted during National Apprenticeship Week. Max has kickstarted his career in construction by becoming a Level 2 bricklaying apprenticeship with Persimmon Homes and will be fully qualified in early 2028.

Growing up, Max watched his dad work for a firm producing pallets – sparking an interest in building and inspiring him to pursue a job in construction. Now, he is working towards his bricklaying qualification at Dudley College while also working on site with Persimmon Homes.

He said:

“I chose the apprenticeship route because right from the beginning you know what you are getting into. You can see first-hand whether you enjoy the work and want to pursue it as your long-term career. Apprenticeships give you the theory and the real-life onsite experience. I’m gaining an industry-standard qualification and earning money at the same time.

“I knew from day one that this was the right route for me. There are also lots of opportunities to progress within the company, starting at trade level then moving into management. One day I’d like to become a site manager or even start my own bricklaying company and this way I’ll get the experience of everything that involves.

“I enjoy meeting new people every day, and I’m already learning a lot from their experience.”

By working closely with employers such as Persimmon Homes and skills providers such as Dudley College the WMCA aims to create quality apprenticeship opportunities for young people in the region.

Leigh Fuller, project manager, Persimmon Homes, said:

“Apprenticeships provide high-quality training, dedicated mentoring and support and a debt-free route into skilled professional roles.

“They offer structured learning built on strong partnerships and through co-production with local colleges, so we know they are shaping the workforce we need to deliver good quality homes for the region.”

“Apprentices bring energy, fresh ideas and sector-specific skills and up to date learning and knowledge and it’s why we have invested into around 233 apprentices across the business helping to create a strong talent pipeline for the future of the company.”

“Max is a great example – he goes above and beyond, he’s committed and consistently performs well with a real desire to learn and develop.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) delivers a range of programmes aimed at tackling youth unemployment in the region which in some areas is twice the national average.

WMCA’s Path 2 Apprenticeships programme is designed to provide young people with the knowledge and skills to enable them to progress into good apprenticeship jobs. The programme offers up to 16 weeks of support and is aimed at 19 to 29-year-olds who are currently unemployed and in receipt of Universal Credit or economically inactive.

Participants enrolled on the programme receive ongoing assessment, comprehensive employer training input and on completion are offered a guaranteed apprenticeship paying at least the National Minimum Wage.

Path 2 Apprenticeships help young people to decide whether an apprenticeship is the right route for them to gain employment and provides employers with an opportunity to recruit new talent to their business.

The WMCA also administers an Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund programme where SMEs accessing the scheme can get donor funds to use towards their training costs enabling them to invest that money into recruiting additional apprentices or increasing apprenticeship pay to attract more candidates.

Source: Express & Star

Thousands of teenagers and young adults could soon have access to new training opportunities in construction, thanks to plans linking school rebuilding projects with apprenticeships and T Levels.

Under proposals tied to upcoming school and college building programmes, construction firms working on education sites will be expected to offer hands-on training placements. For parents thinking about what comes next after GCSEs or A levels, it could mean more local, practical routes into skilled jobs for their children.

The plans include around 13,000 apprenticeship and T Level opportunities across England, with a strong focus on keeping placements close to home. Around 90 percent are expected to be within 30 miles of the school or college being rebuilt.

For families, this could open up an alternative to university that still offers structured training, real-world experience and a wage while learning.

Not every young person wants, or needs, a traditional academic pathway. Apprenticeships and T Levels allow students to combine classroom learning with on-the-job experience, which can suit practical learners or those keen to start earning earlier.

Because most placements are expected to be local, parents may feel reassured that their children can train without needing to relocate far from home, an important consideration given the rising cost of living.

Funding for colleges and training places

Alongside the placements, colleges across England can bid for a share of almost £300 million in capital funding to expand post-16 education. The funding is intended to create more places for 16 to 19 year olds and increase construction training capacity.

This includes additional funding devolved to metro mayors and local leaders, with the aim of reducing waiting lists for courses and improving access to vocational education.

Further education colleges, including a network of ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, are expected to play a central role in delivering training and supporting students into work once they qualify.

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said the availability of skilled workers is closely tied to school rebuilding plans.

“We can’t rebuild schools that are fit for the future unless we have the skilled workers we need to build them,” she said.

“Our education estates strategy will set out our vision for school and college buildings to deliver growth and opportunity to their local communities.”

Young people are already benefitting

Some young people are already benefiting from similar schemes. Jay, a degree apprentice from Lee-on-the-Solent, is currently working for Kier Group on a project to rebuild his former school.

“I feel our work here is important. It’s a great school and I felt that the teachers supported me to excel whilst I was there,” he said.
“The new facilities will mean that the students and teachers will have the best school possible, meaning that students like my sister will have an even better place to learn.”

John Boughton, managing director at Kier Construction Southern, said projects like this can help young people see a clear route into the industry.

“At Kier, we are committed to leaving lasting legacies for our communities,” he said.

“Our teams engage directly with local schools, colleges and community groups to provide clear routes into the diverse range of careers in construction.”

When will young people be able to join the scheme?

The education estates strategy, which will set out further details on school and college rebuilding, is due to be published shortly.

For parents navigating post-16 choices with their children, the expansion of apprenticeships and T Levels linked to real construction projects could provide another option to consider, especially for those interested in hands-on, skills-based careers with long-term prospects.

Source: MadeforMums

DOZENS OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE AS NG BAILEY OPENS 2026 APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME

NG Bailey, the UK’s largest independent engineering and services business, is to create more than 70 new jobs through its award-winning apprenticeship programme.

Applications are open to join the business and become an apprentice in one of the group’s market-leading divisions based throughout the UK.

Launched to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, the positions are being released in phases over the coming weeks through a dedicated section of the company’s website – https://www.ngbailey.com/apprenticeships.

As well as information about the roles on offer, the website explains what life is like working at NG Bailey, the different teams people can be part of, and how to apply.

Rob Smith, Group HR Director at NG Bailey, said: “With more than 70 fantastic apprenticeship roles available, from as far north as Inverness to as far south as Portsmouth, we are offering industry leading opportunities to work alongside our experienced Engineering, Facilities Services, Freedom and IT Services teams.

“Our apprenticeships enable people to achieve an industry-recognised qualification, gain valuable experience, learn key skills, and expand their knowledge, all while working together with some great people and earning a salary.

“Whether you’re looking to change your career or upskill your role, our apprenticeships are open to all, no matter what your age or background.

“Having trained and developed apprenticeships for more than 90 years, our industry-leading approach gives people the behaviours, skills, knowledge and experience they need to build a successful career, working on some of the UK’s most recognisable and respected projects.

“Recruits are fully supported throughout their time with us, and we work in partnership with a national network of colleges to offer some of the best training in the industry.”

Current available apprenticeship roles include project engineer, electrical, industrial heating and plumbing, quantity surveyor, high voltage maintenance fitter, environmental advisor, estimator and network cable installer.

Max Rose, apprentice project planner, said:

“Being given the opportunity to work among industry-leading professionals and learning so much from them has helped me to improve both personally and professionally in my role.

“The opportunity to work on national infrastructure projects really appealed to me when applying. I want to put my stamp on the world of tomorrow and I see NG Bailey as the best place for me to achieve this goal.”

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Government’s 2026 housing targets at risk amid financing pressures, planning delays and worsening skills shortages, warns new sector report

A new analysis of the UK development sector reveals that the Government’s ambitions for accelerating housebuilding in 2026 are at significant risk, despite renewed policy commitments and the introduction of planning reforms.

The Development Index 2026 – built from industry leader’s insights across the UK’s leading developers, housebuilders, REITs, and asset managers – highlights a combination of structural and emerging challenges that threaten delivery across the built environment.

Confidence collapses as viability falls

Almost all industry leaders surveyed reported “low” or “very low” confidence in the UK development market entering 2026, citing weak market sentiment, slower decision-making, and persistent economic uncertainty. The report also indicates that financing remains available, but on selective and more expensive terms, with many debt funds struggling to deploy capital due to a shortage of viable projects. Typical financing costs remain between 7–12% per annum, further undermining scheme viability.

Planning delays are escalating despite more applications

While planning applications rose by 6% year‑on‑year, approvals have fallen 11%, compounding the delivery bottleneck. Developers warn that Gateway 2 legislation alone adds an average of 26 weeks to planning processes, even though the backlog is expected to improve in early 2026. Local authority capacity constraints and the slow rollout of the new NPPF continue to restrict progress.

Costs continue to erode deliverability

Across the sector, rising costs of land, materials and labour remain a major barrier to new housing supply. These pressures, combined with housing affordability challenges (only 14% of properties in large towns and cities are affordable to single-income buyers), are threatening the viability of both market-sale and rental schemes.

Skills shortages are intensifying

The Development Index also identifies a growing skills gap as a critical threat to the Government’s 2026 targets. Niche acquisition and quantity surveyor roles remain among some of the hardest to fill, with employers facing acute competition for experienced professionals who can navigate complex planning policy, ESG requirements, and viability constraints.

Businesses across some construction and production roles, and cradle-to-grave and delivery positions within development, are increasingly relying on interim hires with expertise in niche skill sets and in the delivery of projects, or to navigate tax or cost implications.

Maria Sinclair, Managing Director of Cobalt UK, comments:

“Despite strong ambition from the Government, the development ecosystem simply isn’t functioning at the pace required to meet 2026 housing targets. Until viability improves and the sector is fully resourced, delivery will continue to stall. It is important to add that we are seeing some encouraging signals in the market, from anticipated interest rate cuts and the forthcoming revision of the National Planning Policy Framework, to the continued strength of mixed-use, Build to Rent and infrastructure-linked industrial projects.

“However, policy progress alone cannot bridge the widening gap between ambition and delivery. Unless the sector’s fundamental constraints, particularly local authority planning capacity, persistent viability challenges, and critical labour and skills shortages, are addressed, the target of 1.5 million new homes by 2030, let alone the delivery expectations for 2026, will remain out of reach.”