{"id":155583,"date":"2025-09-26T15:11:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=155583"},"modified":"2025-09-26T15:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T14:11:25","slug":"leeds-college-of-building-awards-spotlight-young-talent-industry-tackles-skills-shortage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/hr-skills-news\/leeds-college-of-building-awards-spotlight-young-talent-industry-tackles-skills-shortage\/155583\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds College of Building Awards spotlight young talent as industry tackles skills shortage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leeds College of Building<\/a> 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<\/h2>\n

At this year\u2019s BIG (Building Industry Greats) Awards, Leeds College of Building (LCB) shone a spotlight on its students and apprentices \u2014 but the event also served as a timely reminder of the wider challenge facing the construction sector: finding and retaining the next generation of skilled workers.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s ceremony distributed more awards than ever before \u2014 44 trophies, seven ICE QUEST Technician Scholarships and a British Tunnelling Society Young Members medal \u2014 all celebrating emerging talent coming through the college.<\/p>\n

Gracie Belwood, currently employed at Systra Group, claimed the Governor\u2019s Award following her completion of a Level 3 Transport Planning Apprenticeship. She also received the Commitment to Industry and Professional Development Award (sponsored by Turner & Townsend). Gracie is moving on to a Transport Planning Degree Apprenticeship at Northeastern University London.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Gracie Belwood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Daniel Heffernan, who works for Howard Civil Engineering, won the Principal\u2019s Award after completing a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Quantity Surveying. A student at LCB since 2019, he progressed from Level 4 qualifications to full degree level. Daniel also secured the Commitment to the College Award.<\/p>\n

Both winners reflected on how their apprenticeships had bridged theory and practice, helping them gain a fuller understanding of the industry \u2014 a crucial stepping stone into professional roles.<\/p>\n

Gracie said she was \u201cecstatic\u201d to be honoured, commenting: \u201cMy apprenticeship with LCB has been very helpful, especially in the transport planning course. I\u2019ve had a lot of opportunities to go and do lots of field trips and experience new things that I can apply to my job role.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Daniel
Daniel Heffernan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Daniel also won the \u2018Commitment to the College\u2019 Award and said he was surprised after only expecting to receive one trophy: \u201cLCB has given me confidence in terms of reinforcing what you do at work, but also filling gaps in where the work can\u2019t expose you to certain things. Studying here, you get an appreciation of the industry as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skills gap remains a pressing challenge<\/h3>\n

The construction sector is under mounting pressure to recruit. The CITB\u2019s Construction Skills Network \/ Workforce Outlook forecasts that by 2028, the UK will need 251,500 additional construction workers to meet projected demand \u2014 an average of over 50,300 new recruits per year.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the more recent 2025\u201329 Workforce Outlook confirms that sustained growth and resilience in the sector will depend heavily on training, retention, and investment in early-career talent.<\/p>\n

Builders\u2019 Merchants News reports that the industry will require 47,860 new workers per year during 2025\u201329, representing roughly 1.8 % of the existing workforce annually.
\nBuilders Merchants News<\/p>\n

To compound the urgency, the UK government has pledged \u00a3600 million to address the shortage via training, upskilling and industry placements.<\/p>\n

What this means for construction stakeholders<\/h3>\n