AMID the long-awaited and beloved spring forecast happening later on this week, yet another major announcement from the labour government has been brought into the open – this time heralded by the chancellor – and revealing that over half a billion pounds will be invested into training and cultivating the next generation of construction workers, with funds particularly flowing into the enhancement of ten technical colleges, the creation of skills bootcamps, a re-vamped apprenticeship incentive program, and the rollout of local skills improvement plans (LSIPs).

This is one of the many solves of the government’s broader vision to tackle the UK’s housing crisis by building 1.5 million homes in the next five years, alongside substantial upgrades to rail, energy infrastructure, and new roads. And it arrives on the heels of a recent report which champions the construction sector as one of the most promising career pathways for the upcoming generation.

While the rhetoric sounds promising, Lee Parkinson, chief executive at Efficiency North, the holding group for flexi-job apprenticeship service EN:Able Futures, said:

“We find ourselves at yet another crossway in the construction sector at the moment, where, even with the highly encouraging announcements, we must remain grounded. This long-awaited backing for a new skills mission is a step forward, but let us not overlook the fact that the industry does require an additional 50,000 workers each year just to meet existing demand.

“There’s seems some mobilisation across the sector, but the key now is ensuring there’s a comprehensive and collaborative effort across the industry to fully embrace and capitalise on this investment.

“Particularly big construction names have a central role to play here in ensuring that their social value delivery obligations are properly served by the creation of real, project initiated, high-quality apprenticeships. By extension, this calls for an effectual approach to procurement and on-going contract management to make the delivery and completion of apprenticeships happen as a direct result of their capital investment.

“In doing so, employers can not only achieve their own ambitions but also help rebuild the nation’s workforce, which has become increasingly depleted over the years. And with what we can see as the growing enthusiasm among younger generations to join our industry, now is the time to unite and pave the way for a thriving, sustainable future in construction, securing long-term career development.”