The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has written a public warning regarding two government reforms to address the skills crisis
TICA’s CEO, Marion Marsland, has published the construction skills reform warning on the back of a record year for apprenticeship enrolments with the association.
The warning concerns the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, and the shortening of apprenticeship programme periods.
Gain in numbers, loss in skills
The white paper, published in August, proposes ten Technical Excellence Colleges to be built in England by 2029, with capability to train over 40,000 people by the end of the decade.
They will be located:
- Derby College Group, East Midlands
- West Suffolk College, East of England
- New City College, Greater London
- City of Sunderland College, North East
- Wigan and Leigh College, North West
- North Kent College, South East
- Exeter College, South West
- Bedford College, cross-regional
- Dudley College of Technology, West Midlands
- Leeds College of Building, Yorkshire and the Humber
Marion Marsland warns that while this is ambitious to boost construction skills, focusing funds on a small number of existing colleges could dilute or duplicate existing specialist provision and sideline niche trades.
She has also warned against shortening apprenticeships.
Marion said: “Quality training happens right across the UK, not just in ten locations,” she added. “If we’re serious about closing the construction industry’s skills gap, including thermal insulation, we need consistent investment and recognition for all high-quality training providers.
“Apprenticeships are about building genuine competence and any move to shorten programmes or weaken assessments risks devaluing the very system that underpins construction safety and quality,” said Marsland. “Our members work in complex, safety-critical environments and the workforce must be trained and tested to the highest standards. Anything less puts people and projects at risk.”
“TICA has achieved record enrolment numbers, which is a clear sign that both apprentices and employers recognise the importance of high-quality, specialist training. This, in turn, underpins and promotes the high levels of competency our industry relies on.
“However, at a time when the construction sector is facing acute skills shortages, Government policy must support this type of provision and not risk undermining it.”
Several skills reform packages have been announced
In March, a skills package worth over £600m was announced, funding for 60,000 more skilled workers for the construction industry by 2029. This will be achieved through funding apprenticeships, skills bootcamps, and placements for school leavers.
At the time, education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “We need skilled workers to deliver the homes, schools and hospitals that communities across the country are crying out for, and today’s announcement underlines our commitment to the next generation of homegrown talent.
“Construction Technical Excellence Colleges will enable us to invest in people and give them the skills they need to break down barriers to opportunity in an industry which is essential to delivering growth through our Plan for Change.”
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