A recent report highlights the pressing skills shortage in the UK construction industry and the need for sustained focus on career pathways for young individuals, particularly those not in education, employment, or training.
In a recent exploration of the skills landscape within the UK, FE News released its Soundbite Edition 779, highlighting critical topics including the acute skills gap in construction, the potential employment of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), and how these issues affect long-term workforce development strategies. With profound concerns about the future of apprenticeship pathways, the publication examines the pressing need for a sustained focus on career growth rather than immediate job placement.
The construction sector is facing a significant shortfall of skilled labour, with estimates indicating a requirement for approximately 152,000 workers, particularly in areas such as bricklaying, carpentry, groundwork, and plant operations. The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the National House Building Council (NHBC) have outlined plans to train 25,000 apprentices over a five-year period, yet experts suggest this figure does little to meet the burgeoning demand.
Gavin O’Meara, in his overview of the week’s noteworthy contributions, pointed out the concerning statistic that over 900,000 young people in the UK fall into the NEET category, constituting 12% of all individuals aged 16-24. This demographic represents a significant yet often overlooked pool of potential talent. O’Meara highlighted the mismatch between the urgent need for skilled workers and the rising long-term costs associated with hiring and training, notably due to an 18% increase in apprentice wages coupled with a minimum wage rise for young workers to £10.00 in April. “We need to make the ‘jam tomorrow’ of skilled careers more appealing than the ‘bread today’ of minimum wage jobs,” he stated, alluding to the necessity for a fundamental shift in employer and employee mindsets.
This climate of rising entry-level wages can deter young individuals from pursuing careers that require skill progression, especially when immediate earnings are more accessible through less demanding jobs. The defunding of Level 7 apprenticeships has also sparked debate, with critics arguing that this decision undermines the potential for career advancement and discourages younger generations from engaging in long-term employment strategies.
O’Meara noted the urgent need for employers to not only offer jobs but also establish clear career pathways. “Young people need to see clear progression routes—from Foundation Apprenticeships right through to advanced qualifications,” he remarked, signaling a call for the business community to engage more proactively with both potential apprentices and those traditionally considered economically inactive.
FE News further discussed the launch of the new FE Careers job site on 13th January, a platform aimed at bridging the divide between skills shortages and available talent. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering career opportunities and addressing the diverse skills gaps across various sectors.
Among the thought leadership articles featured this week, Simon Ashworth, Director of Policy and Deputy Chief Executive at AELP, contributed insights on the critical components of a successful Foundation Apprenticeship programme. Additionally, Graham Hasting-Evans, Chief Executive of NOCN, presented on the pressing question of finding the workforce required to construct 1.5 million homes in the UK—a target that underscores the urgency of addressing the skills gap.
Furthermore, the publication reiterated key announcements affecting the vocational education landscape, including the widening educational gap across regions, as highlighted by the Digital Poverty Alliance, and the announcement of GCSE resit results by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ). The importance of investing in skills development and reversing the trends of short-term employment focus continues to dominate discussions among educators, policy influencers, and industry leaders alike.
As the landscape evolves, the dialogue surrounding skills development, workforce readiness, and the establishment of sustainable career pathways remains pivotal. With substantial changes required to meet the growing demands for skilled workers, stakeholders within the education and employment sectors face a significant challenge but also a unique opportunity to reshape the future workforce.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://itsconstruction.co.uk/what-is-the-construction-industry-growth-forecast-for-the-uk-in-2025/ – Corroborates the significant shortfall of skilled labour in the UK construction sector, particularly in areas like carpentry, electrical work, and plumbing, and the need for new recruits to meet demand.
- https://www.bouygues-uk.com/bridging-the-gap-tackling-the-skills-shortage-crisis-in-construction/ – Supports the estimate of a need for 937,000 new recruits in the construction and trades industry over the next decade and highlights the challenges of an ageing workforce and gaps in education and training.
- https://www.beachmarketing.co.uk/uk-construction-challenges-2025/ – Confirms the skilled labour shortage, the ageing workforce, and the need to attract younger entrants into the industry, particularly in skilled trades like carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing.
- https://www.onthetools.tv/public-construction-skills-shortage/ – Discusses the causes of the skills gap, including negative perceptions of tradespeople and the scarcity of tradeswomen, which aligns with the need to address public perception and attract more young people into the industry.
- https://itsconstruction.co.uk/what-is-the-construction-industry-growth-forecast-for-the-uk-in-2025/ – Mentions the government and private companies’ investment in construction apprenticeships and training programs to develop a new generation of construction workers, aligning with the need for clear career pathways.
- https://www.bouygues-uk.com/bridging-the-gap-tackling-the-skills-shortage-crisis-in-construction/ – Highlights the impact of the skills shortage on the industry’s stability and future growth, including the challenge of meeting the demand for workers and the need for strategic measures to address the shortage.
- https://www.beachmarketing.co.uk/uk-construction-challenges-2025/ – Discusses the risks posed by the skills shortage, such as wage inflation and reduced productivity, and the need for strategic planning to navigate these challenges.
- https://www.onthetools.tv/public-construction-skills-shortage/ – Supports the idea that educators are willing to encourage learners into the trade despite the current school curriculum not accommodating practical skills, highlighting the need for better integration of vocational training.
- https://itsconstruction.co.uk/what-is-the-construction-industry-growth-forecast-for-the-uk-in-2025/ – Mentions the focus on construction skills and the need for a sustained effort to develop a new generation of construction workers, aligning with the call for clear career progression routes.
- https://www.bouygues-uk.com/bridging-the-gap-tackling-the-skills-shortage-crisis-in-construction/ – Highlights the significant loss of construction workers in recent years and the impending wave of retirements, which exacerbates the skills shortage issue.
- https://www.beachmarketing.co.uk/uk-construction-challenges-2025/ – Discusses the broader challenges facing the UK construction sector, including stricter regulations, technology adoption, and sustainability pressures, all of which are impacted by the skills shortage.
