A new study today reveals a 95% uplift in construction and architecture sector degree apprenticeships at the UK’s Top 100 universities in the last two years, despite government funding cuts earlier this year leaving thousands of employers facing an estimated £214 million* increase in training costs. The research by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), the higher and degree apprenticeship voice for over 80 universities, comes just months after levy funding was withdrawn for most Level 7 apprentices aged over 21, leaving building firms and architecture employers with a financial and skills shortage headache. In a further boost to firms, 69% of the UK’s Top 100* universities will continue to offer Level 7 apprenticeships in September despite the funding shortfall. In the building and architecture sectors, 63% of the degree apprenticeships available at leading universities this autumn will be available at Level 6, whilst 37% can be completed at Level 7. There has been a 6% increase in top universities providing degree apprenticeships in the last two years, reflecting sustained employer and apprentice demand for both Level 6 and 7. Degree apprenticeship provision overall across sectors*** ranging from construction to law has also increased by 73% over the same period. Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive of UVAC, said: “Although these findings provide no comfort to construction or architecture apprentices aged 22 and older or employers who were greatly impacted by the Level 7 government funding cuts earlier this year, it’s clear from our research that the UK’s top universities continue to back degree apprenticeships in large numbers. “What’s particularly encouraging is that universities aren’t simply maintaining provision, they’re evolving it. Degree apprenticeship growth in sector areas such as construction and architecture demonstrates their commitment to helping tackle where the UK’s biggest workforce challenges exist, and where higher-level skills can have the greatest economic impact. In addition to the construction and architecture sectors, marketing has seen a 150% growth in degree apprenticeship programmes provided by the UK’s top universities since 2024, followed by law (+67%) and finance and accounting (+57%). The following list identifies which sectors have seen the most growth in degree apprenticeships over the last two years: Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee added: “Demand for construction and architecture-led degree apprenticeships amongst young people has never been higher. Our focus is now on helping universities ensure their provision across more regions, sectors and apprentices from underserved communities so that social mobility is not compromised. “Degree apprenticeships remain the cornerstone to a successful economy and our latest findings are certainly a significant step in the right direction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

50 apprentices are beginning careers at Costain across its infrastructure projects Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, is welcoming a record number of apprentices in 2026 to support its delivery of critical national infrastructure across the UK. Costain is onboarding 50 apprentices this year, doubling last year’s intake in response to growth in its volume of long-term infrastructure projects and commitment to building a growing pipeline of talent, offering them rewarding and fulfilling long-term careers. The hiring activity is taking place across all of Costain’s infrastructure sectors, which include road, rail, integrated transport, energy, water, and defence and nuclear energy, and in a variety of disciplines, such as civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, quantity surveying, finance and project management. Costain offers all levels of apprenticeship in the UK, including degree-level, and each apprentice will ‘earn and learn’, completing a programme of training which lasts from 12–60 months, depending on the level of study. Costain also recruits for graduates, internships and university placements across its sectors and has a Graduates and Apprentices (GRaAPS) network to support professional development. Costain’s apprentices will join some of the UK’s most important infrastructure projects. These include delivering the London tunnels section of HS2 as part of the Skanska Costain Strabag joint venture, strategic water infrastructure through long-term AMP8 frameworks with Southern Water and United Utilities, and critical utilities infrastructure upgrades for Sellafield. More details on Costain’s planned early careers and apprenticeship intake for 2027 and how to apply will be released in November. Catherine Duffy, Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Costain, said: “I’m extremely proud to be welcoming a record number of apprentices into Costain. The industry requires more skilled workers than ever to deliver critical infrastructure for a more prosperous, resilient and decarbonised UK, which makes it a hugely exciting time to enter the sector. “Our apprentice programme underscores our commitment to offering vocational routes into employment. It is designed to help apprentices earn while they learn and gain qualifications with real-world experience to help them build a meaningful, long-term career.” Ella Williams, Apprentice Project Controls Engineer and member of the GRaAPS network at Costain, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be part of a growing group of like-minded, ambitious early careers professionals. Throughout my apprenticeship at Costain I have been fortunate enough to work on complex infrastructure projects which have given opportunities to learn, develop and apply myself in a collaborative, stimulating environment.” Apprentice intake at Sellafield to support skills development and regional prosperity Costain’s apprentices hired to work at Sellafield’s west Cumbria site will gain experience in complex infrastructure works through roles in engineering, project controls and health and safety. They will support the delivery of services through the Infrastructure Delivery Partnership (IDP), where Costain is providing critical utilities upgrades under a minimum nine-year contract worth up to £1bn. The hiring activity by Costain has been informed by detailed analysis of where skills gaps have historically existed in the region and supports Sellafield’s commitment to create a thriving and sustainable local community. This involves developing a skilled labour pool, which local businesses can also access, providing opportunities for early careers professionals and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds across Cumbria. The activity also means that Costain is exceeding a commitment for apprentices to comprise 10% of its workforce for IDP. Claire Gallery-Strong, Project Director at Costain, said: “Together with Sellafield and our IDP partners, we’re committed to offering high-skilled learning and development opportunities for young people in Cumbria and the wider region, supporting a more prosperous, thriving local community and growing the pool of home-grown talent. We’re welcoming a fantastic group who will be delivering against the identified skills gaps and be provided with a range of experiences and guidance from senior colleagues to set them up for success.” Darcy Williamson, Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Apprentice at Costain who has recently joined the IDP programme, said: “Joining Costain as an apprentice has already been a hugely positive experience. I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome and as I build my career in SHE, I’m excited to learn from my team, develop my skillset and make the most of the opportunities across Costain and IDP.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

HS2 is launching a new fast-track training programme to help unemployed West Midlands residents secure a construction apprenticeship on Britain’s new railway. The programme is being led by HS2’s West Midlands construction partners, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) – who are delivering the 90km section of the railway between Warwickshire, Birmingham and Staffordshire, and Mace Dragados – who are building Curzon Street Station. The new initiative builds on the success of BBV’s well established routes into employment programmes. In the West Midlands, 2,273 unemployed local residents have already secured a job on HS2 and 885 have started an apprenticeship. Now, for the first time, the two joint ventures are teaming up to deliver a new six-week general operatives training programme, which will equip participants with the skills and health and safety accreditation they need to start working in construction. Candidates who successfully complete the six-week course, and want to progress their career in construction, will automatically qualify for an interview for an 18-month apprenticeship. Julie Venn Morton, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Skills and Inclusion Manager for the region said: “We work exceptionally hard to ensure that local residents benefit from career opportunities on HS2, and it’s great to see our construction partners working together to create more new entry-level jobs for local people. “A project the size and scale of HS2 offers a unique opportunity to upskill the next generation and we’re proud of our achievements to date, with over 2,000 people starting an apprenticeship and over 5,700 unemployed people starting new careers on the programme.” The six-week general operatives training programme will be delivered at South and City College’s Bordesley Green campus and starts on 28 September.  Eight successful candidates will go on to secure an 18-month Level 2 apprenticeship, where they will join the teams delivering the city’s new flagship terminus station. Beatriz Ramos Albert, Communications, Skills & Social Value Lead at Mace Dragados said: “Collaboration is essential to maximising the social value we create through HS2, and this programme is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition. We are delighted to be partnering with Balfour Beatty VINCI and are grateful for the expertise and best practice they are bringing to this programme. “As construction of Curzon Street Station progresses, we continue to create opportunities across our city centre project and supply chain, and initiatives like this help to ensure those opportunities are accessible to local residents”. Four candidates will progress onto a Level 2 apprenticeship with BBV, where they will join the teams constructing the railway as it travels through Solihull and Warwickshire. Kam Hundal, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Skills, Employment and Education Business Partner said: “We’re creating more new apprenticeship opportunities for local people who are currently out of work, as part of our on-going commitment to leave a lasting skills legacy in the West Midlands. “Candidates who successfully complete a six-week training programme are guaranteed an interview for these entry-level roles. Along the way, we’ll equip them with the skills and health and safety accreditation they need to start working in construction.” West Midlands residents who are interested in joining the programme should register their interest with their local Jobcentre Plus. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The director of a building firm in Devon that has put five apprentices through their training — every one of them still with the business — is urging teenagers to consider a career in construction. Dale Chadwick, of Dale Chadwick Carpentry & Construction Ltd, has had three apprentices qualify through the company, all achieving distinctions in some or all of their assessments. Two more are now entering their second year. Between them they have represented the firm at regional competitions and area meetings, and one has met the Prime Minister. Dale Chadwick, who runs the family firm in Devon and sits on the Federation of Master Builders’ South West Area Board, said: “For us, apprentices aren’t cheap labour — our work doesn’t allow for that. We need skill. We pay a fair living wage rather than the minimum, and we provide uniform, tools and travel to support them. In return, we’ve kept hold of every apprentice we’ve taken on. “There’s no better way to learn than hands on — working with the materials, adapting to what happens on site, spotting problems as they come up. But there’s a huge skills gap to fill. The multi-generational building families don’t really exist anymore, and the school system is set up so that university is the target everyone’s told to aim for.” His firm is one of thousands across the region taking on young people at a time when demand for skilled trades has rarely been higher. New research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) shows the South West is the best-informed part of the UK when it comes to building careers. Polling of over 2,000 UK adults found 90% of people in the region have heard of apprenticeships as a route into construction — the joint-highest figure of any UK region or nation. Awareness of BTECs is also joint-highest in the country at 65%, and just 4% of South West adults could not name a single route into the industry. Iain Kirtley, South Director at the Federation of Master Builders, said:  “Congratulations to everyone celebrating their recent results. Dale’s firm in Devon is exactly what our industry looks like at its best — a small local business investing properly in young people and keeping hold of every one of them. “Our research shows the South West is the best-informed region in Britain on building careers, and that’s something to be proud of. But it raises the stakes. If young people here already know the routes into our industry, the question is no longer whether they’ve heard of an apprenticeship — it’s whether there’s one waiting for them when they go looking. “With ambitious housebuilding targets and real uncertainty about what AI means for other careers, a trade is one of the most secure things a young person can go into. We have the appetite here in the South West. We now need the places to match it.” Luke Moss, Skills and Employer Project Manager at South West Construction Technical Excellence College, Exeter College, concluded:  “As students receive their GCSE results, many will be considering what comes next. For those interested in construction, apprenticeships combined with vocational qualifications offer a practical and highly respected route into the industry. These pathways equip learners with the technical skills and hands-on experience employers are looking for, while creating clear opportunities for long-term career development. Construction offers a wide range of roles and excellent prospects for ambitious young people ready to build their future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, is helping to address the construction industry’s skills shortage by investing in the next generation of talent through a programme of careers events and practical skills workshops across the North East. Throughout the academic year, Keepmoat’s North East social value team, based in Newcastle, has worked with local schools, colleges, apprentices and prospective employees, engaging more than 900 young people across the region and providing opportunities to gain practical insight into careers in construction. A key part of the programme has been delivered through Keepmoat’s National House Building Council (NHBC) Training Hub at New Tyne West Development Company’sThe Rise development in Scotswood.  The facility provides a dedicated space for apprenticeships, construction careers days, recruitment events and practical training, giving participants the opportunity to see how the skills they are developing translate into real-world construction projects. A new cohort of bricklaying apprentices recently began their careers with an intensive block of training at the hub, covering the fundamentals of bricklaying, health and safety and the process of obtaining Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards. The training hub has also welcomed groundwork apprentices from Wearmouth Construction and Applebridge, who visited The Rise development to enhance their knowledge and understanding of their vocation. Geoff Scott, Social Value Manager at Keepmoat North East, explains: “At Keepmoat, we’re proud to support the next generation of  young talent across the North East in preparing for long-term career opportunities they’re passionate about. We also understand the construction industry faces a skills shortage, which is why it’s so important that we empower students early and help them understand the breadth of opportunities available. “By collaborating with local schools and colleges, we are able to help students prepare for the world of work. These partnerships allow Keepmoat to offer tailored opportunities where students can visit live sites and gain hands-on experience in a real-world setting.” Keepmoat has also worked alongside NHBC to connect prospective apprentices and members of the local community with employers.  At a recent recruitment day, members of the public, prospective apprentices and supply chain employers visited the hub to learn more about opportunities in construction and see current Keepmoat apprentices put their developing bricklaying skills into practice. Darryl Stewart, Head of Commercial Services at NHBC added: “We’re committed to helping the home-building industry bridge the skills gap and believe strongly in working in partnership with developers to deliver training.  “The UK faces a housing crisis and it’s essential we build more quality homes at pace – that’s why we’re investing £100 million to train up to 3,000 new apprentices every year and are creating 12 new multi skill training hubs across the UK.  “The NHBC Training Hub at The Rise development in Scotswood is an effective, collaborative partnership with Keepmoat designed to immerse apprentices in a realistic working environment. This initiative is equipping the next generation of skilled site workers with hands-on experience to meet the growing demand in the home-building industry.” New Tyne West Development Company (NTWDC) is the regeneration partnership – comprising Newcastle City Council and Keepmoat – behind The Rise development, in Scotswood. The partnership has plans to build 1,800 mixed-tenure homes in the west end of the city and has, to date, delivered over 750 new homes. Works on the latest phase of housing started last year.  Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK. To date, almost 70 percent of its current developments are on brownfield sites. To find out more please visit: www.keepmoat.com/  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

As students receive their GCSE results today, many will be deciding whether to continue studying or to begin their careers via an apprenticeship. Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director at Seddon, warns that the shortage of apprenticeship places risks excluding young people who are ready to begin careers in construction. All comments below are authored by Nicola Hodkinson – Owner and director of Seddon “For young people receiving their GCSE results today, this should be a moment of opportunity. But those hoping to begin their careers through an apprenticeship may quickly discover that the route we encourage them to pursue is extremely difficult to access. “At Seddon, we receive thousands of applications for our apprenticeship scheme each year, around 100 for every role. These are young people who want to work, develop practical skills and build long-term careers. Yet there are simply not enough places available to give them that chance. Demand is far outstripping supply “The wider picture is just as concerning. Data reported by the BBC shows that applications for degree apprenticeships through the government’s central platform have risen from 8,100 to 21,800 in three years, while the number of available positions has fallen from 7,300 to 3,700. Although those figures relate specifically to degree apprenticeships, they expose the same gap between young people’s ambitions and the opportunities available to them. “The latest government figures show apprenticeship starts increasing by 8.7% overall, but starts among under-19s fell by 5.4%. Construction apprenticeship starts rose by 5%, which is encouraging, but progress needs to happen much faster if apprenticeships are to become a realistic option for more school leavers. Desperate need for construction skills “This is particularly frustrating because construction desperately needs them. CITB estimates that the industry will require an average of 41,200 additional workers every year between 2026 and 2030. Construction cannot keep complaining about its skills shortage while young people who want to join the industry are being turned away. “Employers have to accept their share of the responsibility. Too much of the industry still relies on a flexible or self-employed workforce and expects somebody else to train the next generation. That may meet an immediate labour need, but it leaves young people without routes into the sector and weakens the workforce we will all depend on in future. Practical steps for creating more places – industry and government responsibility “There are genuine barriers for employers. Training an apprentice is a long-term commitment that involves wages, equipment, structured learning and experienced people dedicating time to passing on their skills. Yet there is very little funding available to employers to offset these wider costs, and what support does exist can be difficult to access, with layers of red tape that many businesses simply do not have the resources to navigate. “The government is beginning to recognise this. The introduction of a £2,000 hiring payment for smaller employers taking on young apprentices is a welcome step, as is the decision to give jobs, skills and apprenticeships greater weight in major public contracts. These changes now need to translate into more opportunities on the ground, with their impact closely monitored and further support introduced if apprenticeship numbers do not keep pace with demand. “This cannot be solved through education policy alone. Giving technical education the same status as academic routes is the right ambition, but that promise will ring hollow if young people reach the end of school and find there is nowhere for them to go. “Results day should open doors. Government, clients and employers now need to make sure construction creates enough of them.” About Nicola: Nicola Hodkinson is owner and director of Seddon and a longstanding advocate for apprenticeships and direct employment in construction. Seddon maintains a significant apprenticeship programme and regularly receives thousands of applications from young people looking to enter the industry. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Industry initiative will help individuals gain recognised accreditation and begin or progress a career in demolition The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), in partnership with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), is offering 60 fully funded CCDO Labourer Card pathway places to eligible individuals seeking to start or progress a career in the demolition industry. The initiative has been created to remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing industry-recognised training and employment opportunities. The campaign is part of the NFDC’s wider commitment to supporting the demolition sector, strengthening its workforce and encouraging more people to become appropriately trained and qualified. Each funded pathway includes both the CCDO Labourer training course and Asbestos Awareness training, providing successful learners with the qualifications required to apply for a CCDO Labourer Card. Before attending the training, applicants must have passed the required Operative Health, Safety and Environment test. Candidates are encouraged to complete the appropriate test through CITB or NOCN. Applicants must also be able to understand, communicate and read English to the level required to participate safely and successfully in the training. Courses will take place during September, October and November 2026 and will be delivered either live online or at the NDTG training centre in Hemel Hempstead. Adrian Corrigan, President of the NFDC, said: “Supporting people into demolition and helping them gain recognised industry accreditation is an important part of our role as a Federation. “This initiative is about creating opportunities, supporting the future workforce and helping more people enter the industry with the knowledge and qualifications they need to work safely and responsibly. “Demolition offers a wide range of long-term career opportunities, and we hope these funded places will provide a valuable first step for people who may not otherwise have been able to access the training.” Whether applicants are considering a completely new career or are already working in construction and want to develop specialist demolition skills, the opportunity offers a chance to join one of the built environment’s most dynamic and highly skilled sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

The government’s ambitions to build 1.5 million homes, upgrade home energy standards, and deliver a £725 billion long-term infrastructure pipeline will depend on a significant expansion to the construction workforce – and stronger employer involvement in training the next generation of workers, according to a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) published today. The watchdog examined the government’s progress in delivering its £625 million construction skills package, announced in March 2025, which aims to support up to 60,000 more construction workers by 2029.1 The package combines tried and tested initiatives, alongside newer initiatives, including Skills Bootcamps, and new foundation apprenticeships, and construction technical excellence colleges.  However, the package is not designed to meet all future workforce needs, with government estimates showing that between 201,000 and 755,000 extra workers could be required by 2030, before accounting for those who leave the sector for other jobs. This comes as statistics show the construction sector had the highest rate of hard-to-fill vacancies due to skills shortages — 45% compared with a 27% national average.2 Employer engagement is a critical delivery risk for the construction package. The government hopes that 42% of the additional construction workers will follow from further education students completing industry placements. Businesses make recruitment and training decisions depending on the expected pipeline of work, costs and market competition – but tough economic conditions are affecting employers’ confidence to invest and take new employees and apprentices on board. In 2024, employer investment in training per construction trainee was at its lowest level in 10 years. Foundation apprenticeships are intended to help young people move into entry-level construction jobs, but by April 2026 only 74 young people had started, against DWP’s assumption of 1,000 in 2025-26. The NAO concludes that the government’s construction skills package is a positive step, and that it now has in place a clearer framework to track delivery.  However, delivery is not guaranteed. To achieve its aspiration of up to 60,000 workers — and support its housing and infrastructure commitments — government will need better data, to prioritise resources, and to get employers’ buy in. Without this, skills shortages could drive up costs and put major delivery commitments at risk. The NAO now recommends: Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said:“The government is taking action to address shortage of skilled construction workers as part of its ambitious commitments for housing, infrastructure and energy efficiency. Success will depend on employers having the confidence and capability to offer placements, apprenticeships and jobs.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals