Protrade has released their latest State of Construction Apprenticeships report, finding that despite the number growing, more is needed
The number of UK apprenticeships has grown by 1.5% in 2024/25, marking the first growth in this area since 2021/22.
It has also been a good year for improving diversity, as the number of female apprentices has grown by 9% with 2,630 new entrants, while the number of apprentices from ethnic minority backgrounds grew by 18% to 2,270.
The UK apprenticeship gap is still too wide
In spite of this good news, it will not be enough in its current form. In 2024/25, a total of 24,590 new apprentices was marked, while the government target of 1.5m new homes requires an estimated 48,000 new apprentices needed.
In a different report published recently by the DART Tool Group, there are nearly 100 unfilled jobs for every one apprenticeship position, leaving the gap at over 14,000 positions. The first quarter of 2025 also saw a 16% increase in vacancies, year-on-year.
Craig Sanders, joint managing director at Protrade, has written his three key points to improve apprenticeship recruitment:
1. Strengthen support for SMEs taking on construction apprentices
Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the UK construction sector, yet many face significant barriers to recruiting apprentices due to administrative complexity, rising employment costs and limited capacity to manage training requirements. Simplifying apprenticeship processes, reducing paperwork and expanding financial incentives, particularly in the early stages of employment, would help make apprenticeships more viable for smaller firms.
Without targeted support, apprenticeship growth risks becoming concentrated among larger employers, limiting the sector’s ability to scale its workforce in line with demand.
2. Reverse declining apprenticeship uptake among 16 to 18 year olds
Despite signs of stabilisation in overall apprenticeship numbers, participation among younger age groups continues to decline, with apprenticeship starts for 16 and 17 year olds falling year-on-year and only a modest recovery among 18 year olds in 2024/25.
To reverse declines among 16 to 18 year olds, greater emphasis is needed on earlier careers engagement within schools, clearer and more visible pathways from education into construction apprenticeships, and closer collaboration between employers, training providers and careers services. This could include improved exposure to construction roles before GCSE and post-16 decision points, better signposting of apprenticeship options alongside academic routes, and stronger employer involvement in schools and colleges.
3. Capitalise on interest in green careers to attract next generation of construction apprentices
As the UK accelerates delivery of its Warm Homes Plan, demand for skills in retrofit, energy efficiency and low-carbon construction is set to increase significantly. At the same time, evidence suggests almost half of young people in the UK are aiming for green careers that help the planet.
Positioning construction apprenticeships as a route into climate-positive, future-proof careers, including roles in insulation, heat pump installation and sustainable building methods, could help re-engage school leavers while directly supporting national housing and net-zero ambitions.
