CITB Launches Accelerated Apprenticeships Scheme

A new Accelerated Apprenticeships programme has been launched today by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to help boost housebuilding and tackle regional skills shortages.

CITB says the programme aims to deliver 1,680 Accelerated Apprenticeship starts across four years and is designed to increase the pipeline of skilled workers in key housebuilding trades, including roofing, bricklaying, and carpentry.

An initial five Accelerated Apprenticeship programmes will be established through further education colleges and training providers, with a further 15 programmes planned by mid-2029.

These will be located in areas of highest housing demand, aligning training provision to local labour market needs.

Accelerated Apprenticeships Scheme

The initiative introduces a new approach to apprenticeship delivery, enabling trainees to complete their training in as little as 14-18-months, compared to the traditional two to three years. This is to be achieved through a flexible model that combines intensive early-stage learning with structured block release training alongside on-site experience, helping to speed up completions.

The first phase will focus on five regions with high levels of housebuilding activity and identified training gaps: Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Kent, and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

By expanding accelerated, block release apprenticeship provision in these areas, CITB says it aims to increase apprenticeship uptake, boost completion rates, and ensure a steady flow of skilled workers into the construction industry.

The programme also places emphasis on long-term employment outcomes, aiming to provide employers with a quicker and more flexible model to convert trainees into full-time workers. Consequently, performance measures will track not only enrolment and completion, but progression into sustained employment in construction.

CITB says it will support the partnering colleges and training providers with an initial set-up fund of up to £33,625 per programme, and also provide apprenticeship funding along with ongoing assistance from its New Entrant Support Team (NEST).

Workforce Boost

Tim Balcon

Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said: “Meeting the scale of the UK’s housing need requires a step change in how we train people for construction careers.

“Accelerated Apprenticeships are a key part of that shift – helping more people gain the skills they need more quickly, and in the areas where they are most needed. Establishing regional Accelerated Apprenticeship programmes is a vital next step in developing our partnerships with mayoral and local authorities and is an example of the collaborative efforts that are required to address the skills shortage.

“But it’s not just about getting people through training faster. As an industry, we need to place greater focus on outcomes – ensuring that apprenticeships lead to sustained, high-quality employment. That’s how we build a workforce that is not only larger, but more resilient for the future.”

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