120,000 training positions are to be opened up by what the government is calling a “radical skills revolution”
Construction skills reforms have been announced to focus on attracting more young people to the workforce while also expanding it.
This will be supported by an apprenticeship budget of £3bn to open more routes into skilled positions, including for those in building homes, on top of existing skills packages.
Construction skills reforms will bring 30,000 new starts in this parliament
Other measures being taken in these reforms include:
- A 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, potentially delivering 45,000 extra training places for the domestic workforce and reducing reliance on migration for workers in priority sectors
- Taking funding away from Level 7 (masters-level) apprenticeships, effective January 2026, for those aged over 21 years old. Funding will be redirected to lower levels.
- 13 new Level 2 construction courses for adults in non-devolved areas under the Free Courses for Jobs scheme
- £14m in adults skills funding for construction to be devolved to local mayors in the next academic year, potentially supporting 5,000 new adult learners
- £136m invested in Skills Bootcamps in several sectors, potentially funding 40,000 learners
- £100m over the next four years expanding Construction Skills Bootcamps
- 10 Technical Excellence Colleges for construction skills opening in September
Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we’re backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive.
“When we invest in skills for young people, we invest in a shared, stronger economic future – creating opportunities as part of our Plan for Change.
“But everyone has a role to play in a thriving economy, and we’re taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment, it’s now the responsibility of young people to take them.”
The withdrawal of Level 7 funding is contentious
Thus far, most reactions have been critical of the withdrawal of support for Level 7 apprenticeships, including from:
Dr Victoria Hills, chief executive of the RTPI
“This apprenticeship was developed to provide an alternative route for people to gain entry into the profession, and has provided employers with a pipeline of talent into what we know is an under-resourced profession. We are extremely disappointed with this decision, which will be counterproductive to the Government’s growth strategy.
“The RTPI and its members made robust representations to the Government to maintain what has been a successful route into the profession. Given the severe resourcing issues currently being experienced by local authority planning departments, no legislative proposals will achieve the Government’s growth ambition without a resolution to capacity constraints.
“We have therefore proposed a comprehensive three-point resourcing plan to be published alongside the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. This includes a transparent whole-system audit, a holistic approach to skills development across the country, and funding to facilitate a capacity-building programme.”
Muyiwa Oki, president of RIBA
“While we welcome the emphasis on wider skills development, the decision to refocus funding away from Level 7 apprenticeships is a misguided and backwards step that will reduce access to a flexible, accessible, and inclusive route into the architecture profession.
“This arbitrary age cut off will negatively impact the number of architecture apprentices, at both Level 7 and likely Level 6, and will ultimately have the opposite effect of the government’s intention to get more young people into apprenticeships.
“We’ve worked closely with the government and parliamentarians to promote the value of Level 7 architecture apprenticeships, but our work is not over; we continue to advocate for architecture apprenticeships and the value they bring to the profession and society.”
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors
“The RICS UK Construction Monitor routinely records significant skills and labour shortages in the UK’s construction sector. These shortages stifle existing and future construction projects, including, perhaps most crucially, the UK Government’s target to construct 1.5 million new homes. This announcement provides a welcome boost to apprenticeship opportunities and supports the pipeline for driving fresh talent and upskilling seasoned labourers and professionals.
“Devolving decision-making to local mayors for the £14m of adult skills funding for construction is a positive step and should make resource allocation more closely aligned with local plans. £100m over four years to expand the Construction Skills Bootcamps as well as the ten new Technical Excellence Colleges opening across the country in September should provide the keys for each region to reap the benefits of this investment.
“RICS has called for greater equity and inclusion within the sector, opening the skills pipeline to communities underrepresented in the built environment. We also continue to advocate for a built environment GCSE qualification in England, like existing qualifications in Scotland and Wales. So, whilst this is welcome progress, there are still many other possibilities to enhance skills and labour access in the industry and reinvigorate it in time to meet ambitious targets.”
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