The UK government has announced a £600 million investment to address the construction skills shortage and support workforce development. The funding aims to train up to 60,000 new construction workers by 2029 to meet demand for homebuilding and infrastructure projects.
The initiative includes £100 million to establish 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges and £165 million to expand college construction training. Employers will receive £2,000 for each Foundation Apprentice they take, and £100 million will be allocated to Skills Bootcamps and partnerships between colleges and construction firms. An additional £132 million will fund 40,000 annual industry placements, with £32 million contributed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).
The announcement follows the new Office for National Statistics data, which shows more than 35,000 unfilled construction jobs, with employers struggling to find workers with the necessary skills. The funding is part of the government’s plan to build 1.5 million homes and improve transport and energy infrastructure.
A new Construction Skills Mission Board, co-chaired by government and industry leaders, will oversee implementation. The programme also encourages experienced workers to help train new entrants, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled labour.
This investment follows recent apprenticeship reforms designed to increase workforce participation and retention. Industry leaders have welcomed the funding, calling it necessary to secure the sector’s future.
