Hiring a young person isn’t just about filling a vacancy, it’s about investing in the future of your business. Across the West Midlands, construction employers are discovering that young talent brings more than enthusiasm: fresh ideas, digital confidence and energy that can strengthen a team from day one.​

Through the Government’s Youth Guarantee and construction skills package, businesses can connect with motivated young people before committing to hire. Investment in college teaching, facilities and construction course funding, including funded industry placements for students, is strengthening the pipeline of qualified workers for your business. The Construction Technical Excellence College in Dudley is a local leader in connecting college learning to employers’ needs.

For existing staff, funded training through bootcamps and apprenticeship units can boost skills. New Sector-based Work Academy Programmes let you shape training around your specific needs and see candidates in action, while funded pre-employment training covers the basics, including health and safety and site-readiness credentials such as CSCS or equivalent.

There’s financial support too. Eligible businesses hiring a young person can access up to £8,000, including a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and apprenticeship hiring payments worth up to £5,000, alongside fully funded apprenticeship training and no employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25.​

Martyn Price, Business & People Development Director at MPB Structures, has already benefitted from this support and said: “Being able to bring young people into the business through work experience and skills bootcamps has enabled us to see how they worked before we committed to anything. It took the risk out of hiring and gave us confidence we were bringing in the right people. Many of these young people have now moved onto apprenticeships with us – the attitude and energy they bring to our projects is really positive and there’s so much support out there for construction businesses if you want to do the same.”​

Whatever your recruitment or skills need, your local Jobcentre Plus Recruitment Consultant can help you build the team your business will depend on tomorrow. Visit business.gov.uk/recruitinconstruction today to find out what support is available to you.