CITB Wants to Triple Studying Personnel for the UK Building Industry

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) urges employers to increase student enrollment in education. According to the report, the construction sector faces a labor shortage of over 60%, requiring a threefold increase in number of students to bridge this gap. But what are the reasons behind this shortage, what is the current situation in the construction labor market, and how do companies plan to attract new workers?

The main source: Construction Apprenticeships: Challenge. Opportunities. Support. 2025 update

What Is the Reason for This Decision, and What Is the Current Situation in the Construction Labor Market?

According to the latest CITB Construction Skills Network (CSN) forecast, more than 251,000 additional workers will be needed between 2024 and 2028 to meet market demand. It means that more than 50,000 employees must be trained annually—significantly exceeding the current training rates. For instance, 82,000 people are currently obtaining construction-related qualifications, with 33,000 starting their studies this academic year.

However, another challenge lies in the fact that only 21% of employers hire apprentices, and just 10% employ multiple apprentices for internships. These slow training rates negatively impact the industry and could eventually affect the entire UK economy.

How Companies Plan to Attract Employees

For companies, filling the labor shortage—especially among highly skilled workers—is critical. To address this, they plan to develop strategies to increase the recruitment of younger generations and implement social support programs.

Lucie Wright, head of careers strategy at CITB, said: “Apprenticeships are vital to the future of the construction industry. A hard-working apprentice is a fantastic asset to any business. If industry, government, and education providers work together, we can make a big difference to people’s lives by increasing apprenticeships.”

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