Government targets 100,000 extra construction workers per year

Thousands set to benefit from new construction training and job scheme

The UK Government has launched a major recruitment and skills initiative for the construction industry, aiming to bring 100,000 additional workers into the sector each year by the end of this Parliament.

The drive was announced at the first meeting of the newly formed Construction Skills Mission Board, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Mark Reynolds of the Construction Leadership Council. It includes a formal partnership between Jobcentres and the industry to deliver targeted placements, training and work experience in trades such as bricklaying, joinery and site management.

The initiative is backed by over £130 million in new funding, including £100 million from government and £32 million from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), to deliver more than 40,000 industry placements. A further £625 million investment is intended to tackle sector-wide skills shortages and create up to 60,000 new roles.

Rayner said: “Our Plan for Change commits to delivering the biggest boost for affordable and social housing in a generation. We’re working hand-in-hand with industry to recruit thousands more workers into skilled construction jobs.”

The announcement also ties in with government housing targets, which include building 1.5 million homes over the course of this Parliament, supported by £39 billion in long-term funding for social and affordable housing.

The Construction Skills Mission Board will bring together ministers, industry leaders, unions and training bodies to oversee delivery of the scheme. Tim Balcon, CEO of the CITB, welcomed the partnership and said it would help ensure people are “not just trained but truly prepared” for long-term careers in construction.

Jason Poulter, national officer for construction at Unite, also voiced support: “This is the largest investment in skills for a generation, and the board is a clear demonstration of industry’s commitment to supporting the skilled construction workforce of tomorrow.”

New construction foundation apprenticeships, backed by £40 million in funding, are also set to launch in August as part of the government's wider Youth Guarantee. The aim is to ensure all young people are “earning or learning” in areas such as carpentry, bricklaying and site operations.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) welcomed the announcement. Head of policy David Barnes said: “It’s encouraging to see government moving from rhetoric to action. Without a skilled workforce, ambitious housing targets simply won’t be met.”

As part of the wider employment push, over 100,000 Sector-based Workplace Academy Programmes (SWAPs) are expected to run this year, offering jobseekers training and guaranteed interviews for roles including in construction.