Construction Skills ‘What’s Happening?’

The need to attract young people to the construction industry is vital for its growth and the important role it plays in the UK economy.  As we are currently in the midst of National Apprenticeship Week, we thought a ‘What’s Happening’ report might be of interest to our readers.

Best Wishes the Editor.

Breedon launches 2025 apprenticeship programme to attract top talent into their industry

Breedon Group plc (Breedon or the Group), a leading vertically-integrated construction materials group in Great Britain, Ireland and the USA, has today (February 10^th) launched its 2025 apprenticeship programme, to provide exciting career pathways for the next generation of skilled workers and leaders into the industry.

The programme will see the Group welcome its largest cohort to date across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in September this year. Interested candidates are invited to apply for roles across many different disciplines from Monday, 10 February, including:

 Electrical Maintenance Technicians               Operations Management

Mechanical Maintenance Technicians            Commercial (Quantity Surveying)

Quarry and Ready-Mix Operatives                 Materials Testing Technician

Customer Service Agents                                   Construction Site Supervisor

Credit Controller                                                  Surfacing Operatives

 Ceri Travers, Early Career Manager at Breedon Group, commented:

“Through our apprenticeship programme we are not only investing in the future of our industry but also empowering a new generation of talent with the skills and opportunities to build successful careers.

 “Breedon is a great place to start a career and our apprentices will gain invaluable hands-on experience whilst learning from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the field.

 “We have a lot to offer our apprentices, including a competitive starting salary and annual leave entitlement, development opportunities, and of course the chance to begin an exciting career in an industry that can make a material difference.”

 Successful applicants will be paid from day one and will have the opportunity to build a career, having gained industry experience at the largest independent construction materials group in the UK.

The application window will be open until 10 March 2025, with Scotland applications closing on 16 March 2025.

CLICK HERE to find a full timeline for the application process and

onboarding programme for the successful applicants

Supercharging UK house building: NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hub for apprentices approved in Lichfield following £100M investment

Planning has been approved in Lichfield for a multi-skill apprenticeship training hub, which will shake up house-building training and tackle the construction skills shortage head-on. Part of a planned national network of multi-skill training facilities spearheaded by NHBC, the Lichfield hub is the first to receive planning permission.

The Lichfield Multi-Skill Training Hub, developed by the National House Building Council (NHBC), the UK’s leading new home warranty and insurance provider, will be funded in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), with land provided by Redrow Homes.

The new facility at The Lakes Development, Curborough, is one of 12 hubs planned by NHBC, which is supercharging industry training with a £100 million investment in a national network of multi-skill training hubs across the UK, supporting 3,000 apprentices a year.

CITB is investing £40 million alongside NHBC’s investment to establish up to 32 hubs by 2027 to support the Government’s homebuilding target of 1.5 million new homes.

The NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hub, which is set to open later this year, is the size of two-thirds of a football pitch and costs £1 million. It will provide skilled, site-ready tradespeople faster, giving housebuilding a significant boost locally.

Initially, the NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hub will focus on essential trades like bricklaying, groundwork and site carpentry. The facility is designed to stay flexible, ready to adapt to local housing needs and regulatory requirements, ensuring a flow of qualified tradespeople able to build high quality homes.

As a registered training provider, NHBC’s unique approach means 200 apprentices each year from diverse backgrounds will undergo a programme of immersive training in real site conditions from day one.

Results from NHBC’s single-skill training hubs show apprentices are completing this tailored and industry-leading training in as little as 14 months, with many achieving distinctions. That’s nearly twice as fast as traditional education routes, which can take up to 30 months.

Commenting on the approval of the NHBC Multi-Skill Hub at Lichfield, Roger Morton, Director of Business Change at NHBC, said:

“We’re not just training apprentices, we’re shaping the future of UK house building. With 25 years as an officer in the Royal Engineers, I’m driven by navigating challenges and improving quality. The new NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hubs will revolutionise house-building training, tackle the skills shortage head-on and make a real difference to the future of the industry. Our mission is to make sure every apprentice meets NHBC’s industry-leading standards, driving quality and delivering the homes the UK urgently needs, when and where they’re needed. With competitive salaries for qualified tradespeople, NHBC’s Multi-Skill Training Hubs offer a faster, more diverse and rewarding pathway into the house-building industry. Thanks to funding support through the Apprenticeship Levy and generous grants, there’s never been a better time for builders and contractors to invest in taking on apprentices and for people to start a rewarding career in this essential industry.”

Tim Balcon, CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), commented: 

“The multi-skill training hubs are a fantastic initiative for people that want to pursue a career in home building. We have worked closely with NHBC, government and the home-building industry to develop a programme that is focused on equipping individuals with the skills they need to be productive on site, in the most efficient way. This is truly a collaborative approach and one we are very excited about. People should be proud to pursue a career in construction and home building. There is an array of valuable skills to be learnt, the sense of accomplishment seeing a project completed never fades and it’s a lucrative career too. The average UK construction worker’s salary is over £44,000, nearly £9,000 higher than the average UK salary. We’re excited to see the continued rollout of these hubs following our joint investment with NHBC.”

Marc Cattell, Learning and Development Manager at Redrow Midlands added:

“Here at Redrow, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals in the construction and housing industry with our apprenticeship scheme. Redrow is delighted to be able to offer the land for the development of the new NHBC Multi-Skill Training Hub, reflecting our dedication to investing in people, creating opportunities and equipping them with the resources they need to achieve a career in our industry.”

NHBC is currently evaluating other prospective locations for its

new multi-skill training hubs across the UK. 

CLICK HERE for more information

NG Bailey, the UK’s largest independent engineering and services business, has opened applications to its nationwide apprenticeship programme across its market-leading Engineering and Services divisions.

Two new apprenticeship roles are open for 2025: apprentice civil engineer and apprentice geospatial surveyor. Both roles will support NG Bailey’s Freedom business, which is part of its Services division alongside Facilities Services and IT Services.

Rob Smith, Group HR Director, said:

“From Perth to Plymouth, NG Bailey has fantastic opportunities available for apprenticeships in a variety of roles across our successful and growing business.

“Having trained and developed apprentices for more than 90 years, we recognise the importance of not only having them in our workforce for the value they bring but also how our award-winning programme gives many people a chance to work in a dynamic industry for the first time.

“Apprenticeships are open to all, no matter what your age or background, which often makes an apprenticeship the best option if you’re looking to change your career or upskill your role.

“Our industry-leading approach develops the behaviours, skills, knowledge, and experience our apprentices need to build a successful career. Recruits are fully supported throughout their programme with us, and we work in partnership with a national network of colleges to offer some of the best training in the industry.”

Sapphire Brooks, an apprentice electrical engineer in NG Bailey’s Engineering division, shared her reasons for applying for the programme:

“I wanted to gain valuable knowledge and experience while starting a career that is both fulfilling and offers opportunities to progress.

“The relationships I’m building at NG Bailey will undoubtedly stand me in good stead as I continue to develop. Whether you’re an apprentice or fully qualified, you have access to a fantastic network of passionate professionals with industry expertise to support and guide you.”

This year, more than 50 apprenticeship roles are available, with positions being

released in phases over the coming weeks through a dedicated section of the company’s website

CLICK HERE TO VISIT

Apprenticeship Success Stories from Wates the UK’s leading family-owned development, building and property maintenance company.

Clare Bonthrone

Clare Bonthrone joined Wates five years ago as a Level 7 Accountancy Apprentice and has since grown her career at Wates, becoming a Finance Manager and leading a team of 3. From completing her CIMA exams and qualifying as an accountant, to taking on major projects like the Functional Optimisation project, Clare’s journey exemplifies the steady progression in Wates’ structured apprenticeship programme.

For those considering a Wates apprenticeship, Clare’s advice is simple: “definitely apply”. She highlights the importance of being yourself and focusing on learning and growth.

 Quote: “Joining Wates as a Level 7 Accountancy Apprentice gave me the opportunity to learn technical skills and earn my CIMA qualification and progress to contributing to impactful projects like Functional Optimisation. Wates’ supportive culture, from mentors to hands-on placements, helped me build confidence, discover my strengths, and progress to Finance Manager.

 “Apprenticeships bridge education and employment, creating opportunities for meaningful careers – I encourage anyone considering this path to apply.” – Clare Bonthrone, Finance Manager, Wates.

Lewis Drury  

Lewis joined Wates as a Commercial Management Trainee and has since progressed significantly, recently graduating from university and working towards RICS chartership. His journey exemplifies how Wates’ apprenticeship programme blends a hands-on experience with structured learning to create a well-rounded experience.

Initially unsure about his career path, Lewis discovered quantity surveying whilst researching roles in the construction industry at college. Over the course of his apprenticeship, Lewis has gained exposure to every stage of the construction process, from pre-contract planning to on-site management and project handovers. He found that this rounded approach stood out from traditional university-only routes, providing him with a deeper understanding of the industry.

Quote: “Apprenticeships are invaluable – they offer so much more than a qualification. My journey as a Quantity Surveying Apprentice at Wates has blended hands-on experience with structured learning in a way that traditional university routes don’t provide. I’ve learnt more about the construction process in practice, from planning to project delivery, and the chance to make a real impact, like transforming Leeds’ skyline, my hometown.

 I was initially unsure about my career path, but the Wates apprenticeship has opened so many doors, allowed me to build vital skills and gain new connections” – Lewis, Quantity Surveyor.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations, is celebrating its apprenticeship programme and the value apprentices bring to local communities.

George Turner from Brighton has been carrying out his apprenticeship as a Joiner with Guinness since 2023, where he carries out a variety of tasks including making windows and doors. As well as workplace training with Guinness, once a week George attends classes in Crawley college, where he attends theory classes and carries out training tasks. Although George will finish his apprenticeship training this year, he has already moved into a full-time role at Guinness.

This year George won Guinness’s Apprentice of the Year Star Award, for his excellent progression in the role and for his selfless support to Guinness residents.

Commenting on his career choice, George said:

“I really enjoy being an apprentice – both the learning side and the practical side of becoming a Joiner. I recommend anyone interested in doing an apprenticeship to choose one which is most suited to your experience, interests and qualifications.”

Edd Draper, Training Manager at The Guinness Partnership said:

“Providing apprenticeship opportunities is a key way of promoting skills development and increasing diversity across the construction and housing maintenance sectors.

“We are extremely proud of George and the progress he has made with his apprenticeship course.  He is an inspiration to anyone considering a trade career.”