Govt Names Construction Colleges to Train 40,000 New Workers

THE GOVERNMENT has named 10 construction and technical colleges across the UK which will train 40,000 new workers by 2029 as part of its plan to build 1.5 million homes.

Backed by a planned £100 million investment, it is hoped the colleges will help to break down barriers to opportunity, by supporting young people entering the sector at the start of their careers as apprentices, as well as providing established workers with new skills for better paid jobs.

The new Construction Technical Excellence Colleges are:

• • Derby College Group, East Midlands
  • West Suffolk College, East of England
  • New City College, Greater London
  • City of Sunderland College, North East
  • Wigan and Leigh College, North West
  • North Kent College, South East
  • Exeter College, South West
  • Bedford College, cross-regional
  • Dudley College of Technology, West Midlands
  • Leeds College of Building, Yorkshire and the Humber

40,000 New Workers

The colleges will operate on a ‘hub and spoke’ model, working with local training providers and employers to boost training standards and share expertise.

A recent government survey found that the percentage of construction firms funding or offering training to their workers has fallen from 57% in 2011 to 49% in 2024.

Currently, fewer than half of FE learners who get a qualification go on to work in a relevant industry. The Government says investment in these colleges will help to ensure learners are ready for work when they complete their qualifications.

David Hughes CBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, commented: “Today’s announcement is very positive news for people wanting good jobs, for the construction employers looking for skilled people and for the government’s ambitions to build 1.5 million new homes.

“It represents significant investment and trust in the 10 successful colleges, and the college sector, recognising their crucial role in boosting the country’s construction sector by opening up high quality learning opportunities all over the country.”

The plans are in addition to the £625 million of funding, announced in March, which will be used to train 60,000 more skilled construction workers. The Department of Education says the investment will pay for new foundation apprenticeships, skills bootcamps and industry placements for school leavers.

A further 100,000 construction workers a year are also expected to be recruited by the industry-led Construction Skills Mission Board, by the end of this parliament.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We need skilled workers to deliver the homes, schools and hospitals that communities across the country are crying out for, and today’s announcement underlines our commitment to the next generation of homegrown talent.

“Construction Technical Excellence Colleges will enable us to invest in people and give them the skills they need to break down barriers to opportunity in the industry.”

INDUSTRY COMMENT

Transformative Opportunity

Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), commented: “It’s wonderful to see the progress being made towards establishing these Technical Excellence Colleges for Construction. They represent a transformative opportunity for people to complete local vocational training, helping to drive regional growth and nurture the next generation of skilled construction workers in local communities.”

Raise Awareness

Metals expert and chairman at metals4U, Paul McFadyen, said: “Technical colleges have a crucial role to play in reducing the skills gap in the construction and trades sector, and the announcement of funding for 40,000 new trainees will go a long way to help strengthen the industry for the future. 

“However, this is only part of the picture, and more needs to be done to ensure the construction workforce continues to keep pace with demand. For real and sustainable resilience in the construction industry workforce, we need to raise awareness of the industry as a viable career option within the education system.”

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