CITB Reveals Regional Disparities in Construction Apprenticeship Opportunities

Significant regional differences in construction apprenticeship openings and employer participation across Britain have been revealed.

The report, Construction Apprenticeships: Opportunities Challenges Support published by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) today, has prompted calls for local skills plans to address the problem.

Regional Disparities

It shows London has the fewest construction apprenticeship starts relative to demand with 30 construction employers for every apprenticeship start in London. It compares with less than 4 in Scotland and between 6 and 20 across other regions.

The contrast between Scotland and London remains stark when apprenticeship starts are compared with the size of the construction workforce. Scotland recorded 42.3 starts per 1,000 construction workers in 2024-25, while London recorded the lowest rate at 8.9 starts per 1,000 workers.

This is despite London having the largest concentration of construction businesses in Britain.

CITB says, “The findings make a case for devolved and place-based skills interventions that respond to local labour market conditions. At a time when many young people remain outside education, employment or training, increasing the number of employers able to offer apprenticeships could create more routes into skilled work while helping construction develop its future workforce.”

In the UK, the report shows 33,000 people started a construction apprenticeship in 2024-25, in 17% of construction businesses employing apprentices. Micro businesses – around 95% of the industry – are much less likely to employ an apprentice.

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