The Construction Jobs Plan is a welcome and necessary step, but it will only succeed if employers have confidence in the pipeline of work, explains Neil Kelly, partner and head of land & development at Bidwells.
A construction recruitment programme aimed at widening access to careers in Scotland has already supported more than 100 participants, with dozens progressing into employment, apprenticeships and further training.
An additional £1 billion of funding towards building social and affordable homes announced in this week’s Budget has been welcomed by insulation specialist Actis.
Alastair Robertson, Carly Thorpe and Claire Askew of law firm Walker Morris examine the factors driving insolvencies and the outlook for the construction sector in 2027.
West Midlands mayor Richard Parker and CITB have signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing to the development of a National Skills Academy for Construction in the West Midlands.
Regional disparities in construction apprenticeships have prompted calls for local skills plans to focus more on helping employers recruit and support apprentices.
Construction’s workforce challenges have evolved. The institutions supporting the industry in meeting those challenges must evolve too, writes Tim Balcon, CEO of the Construction Industry Training Board.
The CITB's New Entrant Support Team has supported 7,230 employers and 3,925 existing apprentices, with another 5,000 starts expected by the end of the 2026-27 Financial Year.
The CITB is looking for feedback on new plans to reform the construction skills system, which will create clearer and more flexible routes for people to enter construction.
To build future capacity within the construction industry we must look to public procurement, argues Graham Collie, director of product innovation at LHC Procurement Group.
FMB Northern Ireland is encouraging young people to consider construction careers, with new research highlighting how female role models could inspire the next generation.
New FMB analysis has revealed the cost of hiring a rogue builder across the North, making a stronger case for mandatory builder licensing to protect against these traders.
FMB’s Build Academy has been shortlisted for a BPIC Network Award, recognising its work connecting young Londoners with construction apprenticeships, employers and real-world industry experience.
