During National Apprenticeship Week, members of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru and their apprentices have been showcasing their skills to the Welsh Government’s Skills Minister. The Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant MS, visited an FMB member site operated by Excel Home Design in Pontyclun, where he toured the development and saw apprentices in action. During the visit, the Minister met apprentices currently learning their trade and heard first-hand about the vital role small, local builders play in training Wales’s construction workforce. The construction sector continues to face acute skills shortages, and the Federation of Master Builders is calling for greater support to help small firms offer and sustain apprenticeship placements. Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, Jack Sargeant, said: “We greatly value our partnership with the Federation of Master Builders in addressing construction skills, standards, and SME capacity. Construction is a critical sector for the Welsh economy, with a long and successful past in harnessing the power of apprenticeships for the benefit of employers, learners, and the wider socio-economic landscape. We are committed to strengthening its workforce and skills pipeline to meet construction, housing and retrofit ambitions. “There is clear demand for Level 2 construction apprenticeship opportunities to be made available in Wales, and the new pathways we have announced today are proof our commitment to apprenticeships is unwavering. The sector can be confident that Wales is building a modern, flexible and future focused apprenticeship system. Small builders like Excel Home Design train the majority of construction apprentices in Wales. We value that contribution immensely, and I was delighted to accept an invitation from the FMB Cymru to visit them and see first hand the positive impact of apprenticeships across Wales.” Ifan Glyn, Director of FMB Cymru, added: “We were delighted to host the Minister on one of our members’ sites and to discuss the key pinch points that are currently putting the brakes on the delivery of construction apprenticeships in Wales. Construction is a sector that relies heavily on employer-led apprenticeships, and it is encouraging to see the Minister engaging directly with the industry. Addressing these challenges will require close collaboration between all key stakeholders.” Russell Everett, Managing Director of Excel Home Design and an FMB member, concluded: “Apprenticeships have been vital to our business and to the construction industry as a whole. Training young people from the ground up allows us to develop the specific skills we need, whilst giving apprentices a strong foundation for a rewarding career. “It was a pleasure to host the Minister and showcase the excellent work our apprentices are doing. Investing in their training is an investment in the future of Welsh construction, and we are proud to play our part in building the next generation of skilled tradespeople.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Josh Maskell, says: “I didn’t just want to learn simple carpentry, working at Greencore allows me to learn a variety of different skills on interesting sites. I’m keen to learn more about the company’s fabric-first approach and understand the Passivhaus standards that we build to. A typical day on-site involves working alongside experienced carpenters and learning new skills all the time. Every day is different, which keeps it interesting and helps me build confidence quickly.” “I’ve always been inspired by watching housebuilding videos on YouTube. Seeing projects come together made me want to build things myself,” he recalls. “I became interested in the construction industry after doing work experience in July 2024, where I tried site carpentry work and really enjoyed it. I heard about Greencore when they came into college to talk about opportunities. After that, I went through the interview process and was really pleased to be offered a role.” “My apprenticeship is helping me work towards becoming a qualified carpenter, and I’m particularly interested in the sustainable homes side of construction. It’s exciting to be part of projects that are building for the future.” Josh is enthusiastic about the apprenticeship scheme and its potential for career-building. He says: “I wanted to take an apprenticeship route because I like the idea of learning on the job and building a career in the industry. It’s been a great opportunity to start learning the trade properly while working on real construction projects.” Ian Pateman, Timber Frame Manager at Greencore Homes, and Josh’s line manager comments: “Josh’s enthusiasm for working with timber is fantastic to see. He’ll gain valuable hands-on experience from our skilled teams on site, which will help him learn new skills quickly. With fewer young people entering the industry today, passing knowledge from experienced professionals to the next generation is essential.”  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Six students who have completed their placement year with leading construction firm Beard have been offered permanent jobs upon the successful completion of their studies. The students undertook a year of on-the-job training across Beard’s offices in Bristol, Swindon, Guildford and Southampton and impressed their colleagues with their hard work, knowledge and attitude. Returning to Beard full-time from July 2026 will be: The year in industry programme is part of Beard’s long-standing commitment to nurturing talent in the construction sector. Inspiring and developing rewarding careers is a core part of the fourth-generation family-owned business’ ethos. Beard looked to enhance students’ experiences beyond the formal training through a series of initiatives, including a ‘foundations and futures’ event bringing trainees of all levels together for a day of team building and skills development; and ‘rise and connect’ where students heard about colleagues’ employment journeys and were given a charity fundraising challenge. Neil Sherreard, deputy chairman at Beard, said: “Supporting the next generation of professionals in laying the foundations for a successful construction career is a cornerstone of what we do at Beard, to grow talent, support our business ambitions, and play our part in addressing the rising demand for talent in the industry. “We hope to not only support them in learning the practical skills to do their jobs, but also to experience the Beard way of doing things, help them to build a network of peers, and engage with colleagues at all levels of the business. “We’re always impressed by the level of skill, professionalism and enthusiasm of our placement year students and this cohort has been no different. Many congratulations to them all and we look forward to welcoming them back through our doors on completion of their studies.” The 2024/25 cohort included a Masters student for the first time. Amber Kamugisha, who is studying Architecture at University of Exeter, will join Beard’s design team in Swindon after completing her degree. Amber said: “As an architecture student, I hadn’t considered a role in the main contractor stage of construction, but the opportunity I had to explore this pathway has significantly broadened my horizons. With the support of so many brilliant colleagues, I learnt so much whilst enjoying the experience with Beard. “Beard has been a great place to celebrate the construction of great buildings, grow professionally, and be a part of welcoming team. I am grateful for being offered a position in design management at Beard and I’m looking forward to returning after completing my degree.” To learn more about career opportunities at Beard, visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk/careers/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Taylor Wimpey North East welcomed MP Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, and students from Harry Watts Academy to its Burdon Manor development for an immersive construction careers experience. The visit began with a presentation at the school, delivered by Ben McKie, Trainee Assistant Quantity Surveyor, and Ellen Page, Assistant Engineer and representative from the Young Persons Forum. Students then took part in a full site induction, before exploring the site and seeing the different stages of construction in action. Accompanied by Ben McKie, Ellen Page and Bridget Phillipson MP, students gained insight into the range of career opportunities available within the industry. The day concluded with an informal question-and-answer session over lunch, giving students the chance to speak directly with industry professionals.   Ben McKie, Trainee Assistant Quantity Surveyor at Taylor Wimpey North East, said: “The students gained a real insight into life on a live construction site, from their induction, through to exploring the showhomes and seeing different roles in action. It was a great opportunity to showcase the variety of careers available, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership in 2026.”  Martin Thompson, class teacher at Harry Watts Academy, said: “The visit was an outstanding experience for our students and something they will remember for a long time. They came away with a far better understanding of what it is like to work on a construction site and the range of career opportunities available within the industry. The real-world experience they gained goes far beyond what a classroom can offer.”  The initiative reflects Taylor Wimpey’s ongoing commitment to supporting young people and promoting careers in construction across the North East region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS – chief economist, said: There is a risk that schemes built around compliance or sanctions place young people into roles that do not align with their skills, interests or longer-term aspirations. For construction, which already faces persistent challenges attracting and retaining new entrants, the priority should be creating conditions that make the sector a positive and deliberate career choice rather than a default option. There is also the practical concern of placing inexperienced young people on potentially dangerous work sites without adequate training. Fundamentally, the industry is suffering from a skills shortage rather than a shortage of general labour, so the focus should be on building capability, not just filling labourer vacancies. At the same time, there could be clear benefits for employers. Many construction firms have stopped replacing workers or paused plans to grow their teams because of cost pressures and uncertainty in the market. If government programmes provide meaningful support with hiring and training costs, this could help firms take on young people they might otherwise be unable to afford to recruit or develop. That could strengthen early-career pipelines at a time when workforce capacity is one of the biggest constraints on delivery. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Altrad RMD Kwikform (Altrad RMDK) has officially opened its second dedicated Training Academy at the company’s Head Office in Aldridge, West Midlands. The new facility builds on the success of the first academy in Skelmersdale, further reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to developing skills, safety, and technical excellence across the construction industry. Unveiled by Managing Director Mark Pickard, the Aldridge Training Academy will serve as a central hub for advancing knowledge in above and below ground temporary works systems. It features purpose-built training areas, a live demonstration zone, and digital resources that replicate real-world site environments, enabling employees and customers to deepen their understanding of Altrad RMDK’s innovative systems and engineering solutions. Together with the Skelmersdale academy, the Aldridge facility forms a unified learning network. The combined facilities increase training capacity and make learning more accessible for employees and customers across the UK, promoting continuous improvement, technical excellence, and best practice throughout the temporary works sector. Mark Pickard, Managing Director at Altrad RMD Kwikform, commented: “The opening of our Aldridge Training Academy represents the next phase in our investment in people and the future of the industry. By expanding our training offering, we’re giving our teams and customers the opportunity to strengthen their technical expertise, improve safety standards, and deliver excellence on every project. “It’s a proud moment for everyone at Altrad RMDK as we continue building on the success of the Skelmersdale academy and look ahead to shaping the next generation of construction professionals.” The addition of the Aldridge facility ensures that training is now accessible to Altrad RMDK teams and customers from North to South, supporting the company’s growing workforce and customer base throughout the UK. For more on Altrad RMD Kwikform, please visit www.rmdkwikform.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Oxford North, the £1.2 billion global innovation district, has reached a significant employment milestone with the creation of its 2,000th construction job since building works commenced in August 2021. The 2,000th employee is Costa Tanasa, who works for Morgan Lovell delivering the fitted laboratories at 2 Fallaize Street and lives near Didcot. Costa first joined Morgan Lovell in 2022 through an agency placement and has since progressed to become a permanent team member, demonstrating the career progression opportunities the project is creating across Oxfordshire. Costa said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of such a prestigious project, where many top-tier construction companies are working together for Oxford North Ventures to build Oxford’s newest landmark. “Working at Oxford North is a great experience, the site has a really positive energy, and there’s a strong sense of collaboration with everyone involved. Morgan Lovell has been focused on delivering high-quality laboratory spaces that reflect the ambition of the wider scheme, and it’s exciting to see how the development is already starting to shape the future of the area. “Being based locally makes it even more meaningful as it’s not often you get to work on a project that’s right on your doorstep.” The landmark figure of 2,000 employees represents a near doubling of construction employment since December 2023, when the scheme reached 1,025 jobs. Significantly, 29% of all roles have been filled by local Oxfordshire residents, nearly double the project’s 15% target set out in its Community Employment Plan agreed with Oxford City Council. The scheme has also created 61 apprenticeships to date, with construction partners which include Laing O’Rourke, The Hill Group, Careys, Mace, Alandale, Maylim, Morgan Lovell, and Flynn James all contributing to the workforce development across the 64-acre site. The district is forecast to boost the economy by circa £150 million per year in GVA. Simon Ruck, managing director of Oxford North, said: “Reaching the 2,000th on-site employee is a tremendous achievement and a real marker of the momentum behind Oxford North as we deliver world-class laboratory and workspace for the UK’s science, technology and innovation sectors. “We’re proud to be creating meaningful opportunities for local residents and supporting the wider regional economy as Oxford North continues to grow. Happy International Men’s Day to Costa and fellow colleagues working at Oxford North!” Oxford North Ventures is the joint venture between Thomas White Oxford, the development company of St John’s College, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and Stanhope. The project collaborates through its Social Value Steering Group, which meets quarterly and includes representatives from Oxford City Council, Enterprise Oxfordshire, Department for Work and Pensions, Oxford Jobcentre Plus, CITB, Aspire, Abingdon & Witney College and Activate Learning. Victoria Collett, development director, Thomas White Oxford and chair of the social value steering group added: “This significant milestone and our latest jobs’ monitoring underscores the tangible social value Oxford North is delivering for people who live locally. We’re not just building infrastructure and buildings; we’re generating opportunities that help people develop new skills and build careers.  “Our thanks go to our construction partners and their social value leads who work tirelessly to ensure we exceed our Community Employment Plan commitments through apprenticeships and community outreach.” Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council said:”Oxford North is a great example of how large, new developments can bring real benefits to our communities. It has created 2,000 construction jobs, with 29% of those roles going to local people, showing the impact of the work Oxford City Council’s Economic Development Team and our Community Employment Procurement Plans (CEPP) can have on making new developments work for local residents. When I visited the site, I also saw firsthand young people gaining valuable work experience. We are working hard to deliver more opportunities like this. “Oxford North has gone beyond the targets we set for them in their Community Employment Procurement Plan, which is fantastic. It shows that it is perfectly possible to bring these jobs to local residents and that there are no limits. I commend the ambition which we would like to see across all major developments. “There is more to do to make sure opportunities, skills training and apprenticeships are being made available for local residents. We are working closely with the Oxford Growth Commission to make sure new developments deliver long-term social value and employment.” When complete, Oxford North will deliver up to one million sq ft of new flexible lab and office accommodation, as well as 480 new homes, a hotel, nursery, three public parks, amenities, and a dynamic seven-day-a-week neighbourhood designed to support the UK’s next generation of science and technology innovators. With Phase 1A now complete comprising 158,500 sq ft of purpose-built laboratory and workspace including The Red Hall, the scheme continues to set new standards for placemaking whilst delivering on its commitment to opportunities and shared prosperity for the region. Storey Consulting acted on behalf of Oxford North Ventures as social value consultancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy has completed the construction of a new modular building at Leeds City College and Leeds Sixth Form College, both members of Luminate Education Group. The completion also marks the conclusion of a unique education programme, where students from the colleges followed the construction of their new study space from beginning to end. Procured through the NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) Modular Building Framework, the new 1,380m2 ‘C block’ at Leeds City College’s Park Lane campus has capacity for 300 students and offers cutting-edge teaching space and facilities including laboratories, preparation rooms, study areas, sports science and massage rooms, changing facilities, staff offices and classrooms. As part of the BREEAM Excellent-rated project, 75% of the building’s modules were completed offsite including mechanical and electrical systems and internal fit-out, before being craned into place during a five-day installation. McAvoy also delivered the hard landscaping and EV charging points . Throughout the project, students from Leeds Sixth Form and Leeds City College were actively involved, starting with a visit to McAvoy’s Lisburn factory to see the offsite manufacturing process, through to observing the 42-module installation at the Park Lane campus in Leeds. McAvoy also provided opportunities for the students to build a scale model of a module and experience a Virtual Reality (VR) walkthrough of their new building during a VR demonstration. Thomas Boyle, Senior Contracts Manager at McAvoy, commented: “Delivering this snag free modular building all while supporting students at the colleges who are considering careers in engineering, architecture and design, has been a great process. The students have seen first-hand how the building was delivered, and now it is complete will be able to enjoy the cutting-edge space to continue their studies.” David Warren, Group Vice Principal for Development at Luminate Education Group, commented: “It’s great to see this much-needed space now ready for student use. Through this new facility, we’re better able to support the region’s growing number of 16–18-year-olds with high quality learning opportunities and respond to regional and national skills needs. “It’s been especially rewarding to see our students involved throughout the project, gaining valuable insight during the process.” For more information, visit www.mcavoygroup.com/sectors/education/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A diverse range of speakers took to the stage at an event seeking to combat the growing construction skills gap through education and training – including former prisoners whose lives it has changed. Building Better Futures, held at King’s College College in Cambridge and organised by Constructed Pathways and Women in Construction Anglia, looked to shine a light on the opportunities for people to train and join the industry. Latest figures reveal more than 225,000 additional workers are needed across the UK to fuel the government’s plans to build 1.5 million new homes by 2030. Among the speakers and attendees were former prisoners who spoke of how innovative training in construction, coordinated by Constructed Pathways, had transformed their lives. Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore, also spoke at the event. “I thought it was a brilliant event and just shows the potential and power for collaboration,” he said. “From my point of view as a Police and Crime Commissioner, getting ex-offenders into work is really important, so I’ll do anything I can to promote that. “We need more houses built and there’s lots of big civil engineering projects happening in the region, so anything I can do to help that cause, I will. “This event has been a great place for networking and showing what we can do – the power of collaboration has been here in bucket loads.” Alongside the various construction training programmes it runs, Cambridgeshire-based Constructed Pathways has supported prisoners at HMP Peterborough, giving them hands-on training and experience, helping them to find work in the sector on release. Steve Coleby, Director of Constructed Pathways, said: “This event has been a huge success, with some truly inspiring speakers taking to the stage. “The construction sector has a looming crisis ahead which it is well aware of, and needs innovative, short and long-term plans to find the workers to meet the government’s ambitious homes plans. “This event brought together industry and education leaders to address the growing skills gap issue, and it has been great to see people eager to work together to find solutions.” Clare Friel, founder of Women in Construction Anglia, added: “It has been an amazing day, seeing so many people coming together to tackle this important issue. “The construction industry is an incredible sector to be part of and it’s so important we showcase the opportunities to people so we can meet the challenges ahead.” For more information on Constructed Pathways and its training programmes, see here.For more on Women in Construction Anglia, see here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals