CIOB’s Sophie Cox discusses the organisation’s latest plan to reach more under-18s and spark an enthusiasm for construction that they hope will translate into a new generation of talented professionals.
Launched in 2013, the Fairness Inclusion & Respect (FIR) programme at the Supply Chain Sustainability School is committed to empowering organisations in the construction and built environment industry to attract, retain, and engage a diverse workforce. Dana James-Edwards discusses the latest research on its impact.
Construction’s chronic labour shortage has reached a new inflection point in 2025, as immigration pressures, demographic shifts, and rising project demand converge. From Washington to Warsaw, contractors report that skilled trades are harder than ever to find — and harder still to keep.
Scotland’s largest construction trade association has repeated its alert about the rising trend of “six-week wonders” – and expressed dismay that some courses now appear to be offering even shorter training periods in electrotechnical work.
Insulation specialist Actis has backed a warning by the NHBC that ‘skill, baby, skill’ is required for the government to achieve its target to ‘build, baby, build’ 1.5 million homes by 2029.
Scotland’s largest Energy Transition Skills Hub has officially opened in Aberdeen, showcasing a state-of-the-art welding academy, an advanced manufacturing zone, and pioneering digital training suites designed for the technologies of the future.
Specifiers, designers and architects, mark your calendars: the UK’s biggest event for the built environment returns to the NEC this autumn for its 10th anniversary.
Leeds College of Building has celebrated the achievements of its students at the annual Building Industry Greats Awards, against the backdrop of growing concern over skills shortages across the construction sector.
The newly elected president of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), Pete Curtis, urged members to take responsibility for making a better industry.
Thirty-three organisations have signed a letter to Matthew Pennycook, urging urgent support for planning schools to continue recruiting and training apprentice planners.
The SOCOTEC Group, leading provider of testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, has launched its Blue Alliance employee shareholding initiative to its staff in the United Kingdom.
