A new agreement signed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Department for Work and Pensions will enable thousands of people to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector. Roles ranging from project managers to bricklayers will be made available to jobseekers thanks to the agreement, which will mean Jobcentres working more closely with the construction industry to offer work experience and tailored placements to meet the need of employers and people looking to start a fulfilling career.    The agreement, signed earlier this week at the newly-launched Green Plant Academy at the Earls Court Skills Centre, is a major step in the Government’s drive to get Britain building and get Britain working as part of its Plan for Change.    More than 40,000 industry placements will be funded through a further £100 million from the government, alongside a £32 million contribution from the CITB. It comes as the Deputy Prime Minister co-chaired the first Construction Skills Mission Board earlier this week with Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council. Alongside Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Industry Sarah Jones, and several CEOs and sector leaders – including CITB CEO Tim Balcon – the Mission Board launched an industry commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament. This will be a step-change for the construction sector, creating good jobs across the country to deliver on government’s housing and infrastructure commitments, including building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and delivery of the 10-year infrastructure strategy.   Ministers will highlight major reforms to transform Jobcentres as well as the £625 million investment to tackle skills shortages in the construction sector – expected to create up to 60,000 more jobs for engineers, electricians and joiners by the end of the parliament.  Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “Building 1.5 million homes takes investment, skills, and a government that’s ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver. And that is exactly what we are doing. Our Plan for Change commits to delivering the biggest boost for affordable and social housing in a generation, which we’ve backed with a £39 billion investment over ten years.  “We’re working hand-in-hand with industry to recruit thousands more workers into skilled construction jobs, and thanks to our Make Work Pay reforms we will ensure these jobs are more secure and better rewarded.”  Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “I am determined that our young people have the best start in life. To do this we must give them the tools they need to get ahead. This agreement, alongside our record funding will do just that. Our welfare reforms will see the biggest investment in a generation to support disabled people into secure, well-paid work. Our Plan for Change will deliver the jobs, homes and opportunities we need to build a stronger and more prosperous Britain.”   Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The construction sector is on the frontline in our mission to grow the economy, giving more people skilled jobs building the homes and infrastructure we need. Through our Plan for Change we are determined to break the link between background and success, so that more young people can get on in well paid careers.  “The Construction Skills Mission Board will make sure we hear directly from employers about what their skills needs are, driving our reforms and helping more young people achieve and thrive.”  Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said: “Opportunities in construction are for everybody, whatever their background. By working together, we can widen the talent pool, bring in more diverse voices, and encourage more people to consider a career in construction.  “Every year, over 100,000 people receive construction training. I want many more of them to forge lasting careers in the sector. This is why the partnership with DWP is so vital, as it helps ensure individuals are not just trained but truly prepared for careers in construction.   “The Government commitment to addressing the housing shortage, improving the country’s infrastructure, and investing in construction skills mean this is a real boom time for our industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of the UK’s fastest growing principal contractors has pledged to boost spending on its Early Years’ Talent Academy as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations.  Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, is increasing its investment to £150,000 per year to help fight the growing skills gap facing the construction sector.  This will encompass an even more comprehensive programme, offering apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, formal qualifications and one-to-one mentoring from its senior leadership team.  It has been specially designed to attract individuals into the sector and, importantly, retain existing talent who are being tempted into different opportunities. By offering acceleration of their personal development and career path they can clearly see their future at Inco Contracts.  The Early Years’ Talent Academy has been a resounding success so far for the business, with six young people trained from the basics into highly skilled professionals with some already progressing into managerial positions.  “Skills are a growing issue for our sector and our ability to grow. Rather than stand still, we decided to take positive action and create our own training programme,” explained Operations Director Sam Norton, who led the MBO with Managing Director David Cotterill in 2020.  “This has been a fantastic initiative for attracting young talent to join us as a fledgling contractor and we wanted to further renew our commitment to this. Our 15th anniversary felt like the perfect opportunity to extend it by increasing the funding to £150,000.” He continued: “We provide real project-based experience from day one, setting us apart from our competitors, with a progression pathway aligned with their personal goals. There is also company-funded education at College or University in place to deliver the best all-rounded team member. “Annual growth is running at around 20% and we can’t completely rely on the existing labour pool if we want to maintain this level of expansion. Growing our own talent is the preferred option to address the skills shortage and I’m delighted that we have given our proven scheme an ‘anniversary boost’.”  Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial, commercial and education refurbishment schemes across the UK, completing hundreds of projects every year.  These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards.  Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes and external groundwork packages to building services, M&E installations, strip-outs and demolition, not to mention heritage and conservation work.  Beyond the Early Years’ Talent Academy, the business also offers CPD for all of its 55-strong workforce as part of a regular 6-month appraisal scheme.  This clearly defines a personalised action plan to further support their role and provide upskilling opportunities.  Managing Director David Cotterill, added his support: “It’s well documented that the construction industry has been experiencing skills shortage issues for some time, so it’s crucial that we deliver talent from the ground up. “By doing this we’re helping address the ‘gap’ and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be overlooked by the sector. Our goal is to make construction more accessible, modern and rewarding. In a tight labour market, the companies that invest in people will be the ones that continue to thrive.” Harry Merrick was one of the first people to be enrolled into the Inco Contracts’ Early Years Talent Scheme, joining as Trainee Contracts Manager in 2020. He progressed to Assistant Contracts Manager just twelve months later and quickly secured his Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment, before embarking on a five-year HNC in Construction Management at Birmingham City University. The 21-year-old from Walsall has made equally impressive strides in the workplace, recently leading a tender that secured a near £1m industrial refurbishment project in Nottinghamshire. Harry, who is also hoping to achieve Chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Building, commented: “I’d recommend this scheme to anyone entering construction. I’ve had a clear pathway from day one and lots of mentoring from experienced professionals that has accelerated my practical knowledge. “My sights are now set on the next step in my career, which will be the Contracts Manager role and then who knows…maybe one of the senior management team. Working with an independent contractor has fast-tracked my development in this sector.” Inco Contracts is planning several special events and announcements through the year to tie in with its 15th anniversary, which officially takes place in July.  For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leeds College of Building Level 1 Plastering student Reece Williams has been named ‘Student of the Year’ by partners at British Gypsum.  His tutor Liam Addinall said he was “so pleased” for Reece, whose hard work over the year was rewarded with a trophy, a trowel set, and a gift voucher.  Liam described Reece as “an outstanding student,” adding: “When he first joined my class as a full-time learner, he had very little prior experience in plastering. Since then, his progress has been exceptional.  “Reece approaches every lesson with enthusiasm, arrives on time, and is always keen to improve. He’s been an absolute pleasure to teach. This award is well deserved, and I have no doubt there are big things ahead – possibly even SkillBuild!” When asked how he felt about winning the award, Reece said, “I feel good. I didn’t expect to be nominated by so many teachers, but I’m happy my work has paid off.” For any students wishing to follow in his footsteps, Reece said his main piece of advice was to just focus. “Ignore any outside distractions like going out partying. Just focus on your work because obviously this is your future. You want to earn money. You want to work your way up.” After presenting Reece with his award Ryan Seeley and Pete Baum, both Skills Partnership Managers for British Gypsum, took the opportunity to track the progress of students enrolled on another partnership initiative.  The ‘Site Ready Skimming Course’, also known as ‘Skim School’, is an in-house training programme provided by British Gypsum in collaboration with Leeds College of Building.  The course, now in its fourth year, was set up to help Level 1 and Level 2 students enhance their plastering skills and bolster their employability prospects.  Reflecting on the programme, Pete said: “It’s one of our most well developed and high achieving courses. We run it all over the country and do lead by example with the quality that’s coming out of it. “We had great success last year with every student achieving a distinction mark on the end-course assessment, and all our learners going out into industry working as plasterers.  “For us at British Gypsum, the positives are that we get to meet with the students, watch their progress throughout the course, and then follow them into the industry.” Leeds College of Building and British Gypsum have been partners for more than 15 years, with Ryan describing ‘Skim School’ as British Gypsum’s way of supporting colleges with plastering provisions that provide the opportunity to use authentic materials while training. “Rather than just using things like sand and lime, which replicate the real world, they use materials that they’ll actually be using day-to-day. “We also provide the ‘Student of the Year’ trophy, which enables us to start a relationship with new plasterers coming into the industry and then be able to encourage them and follow them all the way through.” Skim School student Lisa Averay-Jones, who initially came to Leeds College of Building to study joinery before ending up on plastering, says the course has taught her “everything.” Prior to joining Leeds College of Building Lisa had never even put plaster on a wall but has since gone from a complete beginner to someone who knows how to mix properly, work out timings, pressure, health and safety regulations, and more.  Find out more about plastering on the new Leeds College of Building website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Morson Group, a global leader in talent solutions, has completed the acquisition of 3B Training, a Wigan-based specialist provider of health and safety training in the construction sector. The acquisition marks a significant step in Morson’s strategic expansion of their training capability and reinforces its position as one of the largest and most influential providers of applied, supplied, deployed and developed talent worldwide. Founded in 2011 by Executive Chairman Dave Brooks and Managing Director Mat Bewley, 3B Training has a rich history of providing recognised training in the construction sector. Since its foundation, 3B has grown to be one of the UK’s largest construction training providers and has developed a national presence, including offices across the North West, Yorkshire and Midlands. Under the leadership of Managing Director Mat Bewley, the team brings significant industry expertise and provides a comprehensive suite of practical training services, online training, eLearning and NVQs. At a time when the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise—driven by widespread labour shortages, an ageing workforce, and evolving infrastructure investment—training has never been more important. The integration of 3B Training into the Morson family significantly enhances Morson’s ability to develop and deploy deep talent pools, delivering industry-ready individuals who can immediately add value in high-demand sectors. A shared philosophy, strong cultural alignment, and complementary capabilities make this acquisition a natural and exciting next step. For now, it will be business as usual as leadership teams collaborate to enhance both organisations’ operations and ensure a seamless integration. Morson Group CEO Ged Mason commented: “This acquisition represents a key strategic move to develop Morson Group’s training business, with 3B’s suite of construction offerings complementing Morson Training’s established and substantial expertise across rail and power. The synergies between Morson Training and 3B Training will create an enviable training and development unit for the Group. I look forward to seeing the business integrate and collaborate over the coming months to deliver even greater value for our clients and people.” Mat Bewley, Managing Director at 3B Training, said: “Joining the Morson Group marks an exciting new chapter for 3B Training. We’ve always been passionate about delivering industry-leading training and this acquisition allows us to scale that ambition even further. Being part of Morson Group will broaden our reach, enhance our offering, and ensure we continue to deliver the high-quality service our clients know and trust. We’re proud to be part of a group that shares our values and vision for the future of skills development.” Matthew Leavis, Morson Group Training Director, said: “This acquisition is a strong strategic move, bringing together two organisations that share a commitment to quality and client service. The synergy between us will support growth across our key markets and enhance the value we deliver to clients. It’s a positive step that strengthens our collective offer and positions us well for the future.”Morson was advised by Beyond Corporate and RSM UK Corporate Finance LLP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The National Masonry Academy (NMA) is proud to announce that it has been officially recognised as a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO), marking a major milestone in the delivery of specialist, high-quality masonry training in the UK construction sector. As a CITB ATO, the NMA is now authorised to deliver short-duration training, qualifications, and continuing professional development (CPD) that meet nationally recognised standards and align with current industry legislation. This recognition enables construction employers to access CITB grant support for eligible training delivered by the Academy, helping to drive workforce competence, safety, and career progression. The National Masonry Academy forms part of the wider National Construction Academy group, with a flagship training facility based in Sheffield. It will provide on and off-site training tailored to real-world site conditions, covering everything from entry-level diplomas and apprenticeship programmes to manufacturer-led product accreditation and upskilling for professionals. The academy will also deliver robust training initiatives for ex-offenders and ex-veterans, supporting social mobility through industry skills. Eve Livett, Chief Executive Officer of the National Masonry Academy, said: “Achieving ATO status is not just about a badge, it’s about trust, quality, and our responsibility to deliver training that genuinely supports the future of construction. The masonry sector has unique training needs, and we are now better placed than ever to meet them. This recognition from CITB validates The National Masonry Academy’s approach and opens the door for employers to access funded, fit-for-purpose skills development that strengthens safety, compliance, and career pathways.” The Academy is the dedicated training arm of the Masonry Association of Great Britain and benefits from deep industry integration, including collaboration with contractors, suppliers across the EU and beyond, and international trade bodies. This ensures that NMA training remains relevant, future-focused, and responsive to evolving market demands. The Sheffield facility includes space for both theoretical and practical training, as well as accommodation for trainees travelling from across the UK. Crucially, the Academy is supported by global suppliers, enabling it to provide access to the latest tools, materials, and technologies. Manufacturers are also invited to use the site to deliver bespoke training and registered installer programmes. With plans to introduce NVQ and diploma training in the coming months and to onboard its first apprenticeship cohort in January 2026, the National Masonry Academy is poised to become the UK’s leading centre for masonry training and education. By strengthening compliance with the Building Safety Act and wider government initiatives, and by unlocking funded training through the CITB levy system, the NMA is now ideally placed to support the upskilling and development of the UK construction workforce. For more information about training opportunities or to enquire about partnerships, visit: https://nationalmasonry.academy For course bookings or partnership enquiries, contact: training@nationalmasonry.academy Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A new £250,000 centre for green skills training and education has been officially opened at Nottingham College, to address skills shortages in both construction and renewable energy in the region.   The Green Skills Centre, based within the Nottingham Sustainability Enterprise Centre at Basford campus, is kitted out with nine state-of-the-art, interactive demonstration and training bays, comprising solar PV, air source heat pumps, battery storage, electric vehicle charging and solar thermal technologies.  In each area, students will have access to a live working bay, an installation / maintenance bay, and a fault-finding bay, giving them practical application of learning across core low carbon technologies in live real-world scenarios.   The launch of the Green Skills Centre is hot on the heels of significant adjacent investment at Nottingham College’s Basford campus, including the £6million Construction Skills Centre which opened in November 2024.  Funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund and delivered in partnership with Quantum Training, the Green Skills Centre will respond directly to the region’s local skills needs and set the standard for upskilling in green sustainability-focused careers, both for students in further education and adults who may already be working in industry.   Bolstering the sustainability offer at the college, the Green Skills Centre enhances Nottingham College’s ability to play a pivotal role in supporting the construction sector, as it gears up to deliver the government’s 1.5 million homes mission – many of which will need to hit significant sustainability benchmarks.  The new facility also complements the existing green skills provision offering through the Gas Centre at Basford and the electric vehicle and related technologies courses offered at Ruddington campus.  In addition, the Green Skills Centre supports Nottingham College’s commitment to achieving carbon net zero through its comprehensive suite of sustainability initiatives, including decarbonisation of heritage buildings, rewilding projects in city centre locations and other retrofit initiatives to reduce energy consumption.   Carl Ara, Assistant Principal at Basford, acknowledged the impact that the new facility will have on teaching. He said:   “The Green Skills Centre provides a unique learning environment for students to develop their practical skills and understanding of green skills required in industry. Qualifications in green skills courses opens up a number of career options for students, whether that is in robotics, renewable technologies, business, construction and the built environment, agriculture, hospitality and retail, science and the public sector – so it is an education pathway which provides students with a great number of choices for further study and employment.  “Our mission at Nottingham College is to unlock potential through learning and this is exactly the sort of future-ready facility that will support delivery of a high standard of education for our students and adult learners in industry.”   James Swift, Director of Strategic Development and Projects at Nottingham College, was part of the bids team instrumental in accessing funding for the centre. He said:   “Success in allocation of funding for the Green Skills Centre is in part thanks to the increased demand for jobs and careers in green skills, exacerbated by a growing emphasis on tackling the climate emergency. As our understanding of environmental pressures increases, it is becoming more important to respond to these challenges in our society – and so green skills will help us address them across multiple industry sectors here in Nottingham and beyond.”   Maria Gonella, Managing Partner at Quantum Training, said:  “At Quantum, we’ve been delivering practical, hands-on renewable and retrofit training facilities across the country, as part of our mission to help drive the UK’s transition to net zero. One of the biggest challenges in achieving this goal is the shortage of a workforce equipped with green skills. That’s why we’re committed to supporting colleges, like Nottingham, in delivering green skills training and preparing learners with the expertise needed to drive the UK’s green transition.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Tackling the UK construction sector’s biggest challenge will prove impossible as long as businesses persist in simultaneously paying ‘lip service’ to gender diversity while refusing to make structural and cultural changes to their operations, according to the Circle Partnership. PwC’s latest ‘Women in Work’ index report measures factors such as the gender pay gap and employment levels. It shows that women’s worsening unemployment and participation in the workforce has pulled the UK to a shameful 27th out of 33 OECD’s most important economies. This is at a time when British construction is attempting to juggle the simultaneous needs of rapidly increasing output while experiencing chronic labour supply issues. If the construction sector is to move past these challenges, it must stop merely talking about the need for greater gender diversity and make concrete steps to changing the composition and culture of the sector. Last week, at UKREiiF where representatives from across the built environment industry came together to debate the most pressing issues facing the sector, sentiment suggested that the skills crisis remains the industry’s biggest and most pressing obstacle to growth. With so many highly skilled female professionals either under employed or having left the sector, urgent action in this space is needed if we are to support a thriving industry. Ceri Moyers, Director of The Circle Partnership, an organisation supporting businesses from across the built environment to combat the skills crisis through retaining their existing female talent commented: “Businesses continue to see gender diversity as a ‘specialist’ priority – and one that can be dumped in favour of more critical issues depending on international sentiment or other market pressures. We have to wake up to the role that gender diversity has to play as a direct means of addressing the chronic skills shortage – and this has to start with businesses investing in retaining their existing female talent. Companies are spending £100,000s on staff churn and on recruiting new staff and this is money that could be better spent in keeping the women they already have.” Current statistics show that 49% of women leave the built environment sector before the age of 34 – figures that are playing into these global gender equality rankings. This talent drain also means that economy is missing out on the some £15-22bn that Blackrock calculate would be delivered through unleashing women’s full potential. Failing to focus on initiatives to retain their existing diversity means that businesses are also actively hampering their future talent pipeline: 87% of GenZ consider the DEI of a workplace. 56% will not work for a business without a diverse leadership. Ceri Moyers adds, “Our industry requires some 100,000 new roles per year for next five years to simply sustain growth. Ensuring we’re investing in keeping the diverse talent we already have must be seen as an urgent priority – not only to keep the wheels turning, but to ensure that businesses remain competitive and attractive to potential future talent.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

On May 8th, Croydon College proudly hosted a successful Women in Construction Open Day in collaboration with Construction for Women part of Gallaway Construction, aimed at introducing Year 9 and 10 girls to the construction trades and career opportunities within the industry. The event welcomed an enthusiastic group of students who took part in practical workshops covering Plumbing, Carpentry, Brickwork, Electrical, and Interior Design using Croydon College’s state-of-the-art facilities. Designed to raise awareness and inform young girls about their future GCSE and career options, the initiative focused on breaking down gender stereotypes and showcasing construction as an exciting, accessible, and rewarding field. Attendees explored different trades in a hands-on environment, guided by experienced tutors and current female construction students. One student, Freya, shared her enthusiasm: “I had never considered a career in construction before today, but I had a lot of fun and will look into a career in this field. The workshop showed me the basics in plumbing and electrical, I had a lot of fun!” Another participant, Stella, expressed her motivation: “I like working with my hands, so I thought it was interesting.” Madi, who attended the brickwork session, added: “The workshop was interesting. Aldo (the tutor) was really nice and showed us how to place bricks.” Stuart Singleton, Construction Team Manager at Croydon College, commented: “It was inspiring to see the level of skill, curiosity, and determination on display today. Events like this are essential to changing perceptions and opening doors, showing that construction is a rewarding and accessible career path for everyone.” Renee Preston, Director of Gallaway Construction & Founder of Construction for Women, added: “We’re passionate about promoting equality and inclusion in construction. The energy and interest from the attendees today show the incredible potential out there. We hope this is just the beginning for many of these girls.” Croydon College remains committed to supporting opportunities that empower all members of the community. The college looks forward to hosting similar events in the future, continuing to challenge outdated stereotypes and promote diversity in the workforce. To find out more information on the construction courses available at Croydon College, visit https://croydon.ac.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A trailblazing crane operator – the first woman to qualify in the UK – took centre stage at the latest Women in Construction Anglia Lunch this week. The sold-out event at Suffolk New College in Ipswich, on Wednesday April 30, was attended by almost 100 people and showcased the vast diversity of roles in the construction sector, encouraging more women to join the profession. Guests heard from keynote speaker Katie Kelleher, the first woman in the UK to complete a Lifting Technician Apprenticeship, who later worked on some of the biggest projects in the UK – including Crossrail and Tideway in London. Katie talked about some of the barriers she had faced in entering the sector, including backlash she has faced online and on social media, and how she overcame them. She said: “I loved today’s event, I think it was really great. It was a full room and everyone was positive, really supportive. “I think events like this are so important, showcasing what we do in this industry.  “There was a really nice mix of students and people already in this sector, which was a really nice blend. If any students need some more information, everyone is there for them.” She added: “If you are a woman considering entering the sector, I would say go for it.  “I never thought I would work in the industry but I absolutely love it. There’s plenty of scope, plenty of different jobs – so just go for it.” Women in Construction Anglia (WICA) was launched October 2024 and has already made a big impact in the sector, providing events and initiatives to inspire the next generation of women into the industry. Clare Friel, founder of WICA, who hosted the event alongside Siu Mun Li, said: “This was our fourth Women in Construction Anglia event, drawing key people from across the UK to showcase the wealth of opportunities the construction industry has on offer.. “Each event has built on the last, providing a space for people to connect, network and discover opportunities for a successful career in the sector.” Kat and Fi Parsons, who launched the Female Design and Build Project, and structural engineer Holly Peirson also featured as part of the event’s panel discussion. Amanda Ankin, from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, a partner of Women in Construction Anglia, said: “I thought the event was really inspirational. “We had some fantastic speakers, we had a lot of conversation in the room as well. I think a lot of people will be walking out of here thinking, yeah, we can do this.” For more on Women in Construction Anglia and its upcoming events, see www.womeninconstructionanglia.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals