The UK construction industry faces a growing crisis; a widening gap between the demand for skilled labour and the number of apprentices entering the workforce. While employers urgently need fresh talent, many young people struggle to access training that leads to real, sustainable careers. At BESA, we're taking strategic steps to address the root causes of this disconnect.
A recent article on FE News captures the issue clearly, stating that construction has one of the highest vacancy rates of any sector, yet the number of apprentices entering the profession is falling. “The dropout rate now stands at a worrying 47%. Meanwhile, the number of new apprentices entering the sector continues to decline” Despite construction offering rewarding, high-paying careers, a lack of awareness, guidance, and coherent pathways continues to limit access, especially for school leavers.
Too often, schools direct their students toward academic routes while overlooking vocational careers in construction and engineering. This gap in guidance results in fewer apprentices, slower project delivery, and a workforce unprepared for the future.
These ongoing concerns have directly shaped our approach. BESA plays a proactive role in convening local employers to identify and articulate collective training needs. Where demand exists, we support members in aggregating that need, enabling the formation of viable learner cohorts. A recent example in Gloucester demonstrates this approach in action. Employers in the region expressed a need for Technician level 3 training, and through BESA’s coordination, a cohort was successfully established. This process strengthens the case for localised provision and gives Further Education providers the evidence they need to justify new course delivery.
Crucially, once a clear demand is demonstrated, FE institutions can use this data to apply for the necessary government funding to deliver the required training. BESA acts as the link between industry and education, helping to ensure that real-world employer needs are translated into actionable opportunities within the skills system.
These kinds of insights have been central to shaping our strategy. It’s clear we need regionally responsive solutions that support both learners and employers, and ensure the system works where it's needed most.
As FE News points out, “We urgently need to address the barriers that are stopping apprentices from completing their training. That means providing better support throughout the process, ensuring training is accessible and relevant, and securing the funding needed to properly resource our Further Education colleges.” We couldn’t agree more. That’s why BESA is pushing for reforms that align training with real-world requirements.
We're working with employers and training providers to co-design courses that deliver the skills and knowledge our industry needs. Through BESA Academy we support modular learning delivering shorter, stackable qualifications that allow learners to build knowledge and confidence to step into skilled roles and contribute from day one. We support our members and the wider industry to better understand and navigate funding and bureaucracy, while also helping our members explore opportunities for more localised provision and improved access, so they’re better equipped to develop talent without being overwhelmed by red tape.
While these programmes address different stages of the pipeline, they share a common goal, changing how the industry approaches skills development. They’re not just about training individuals; they’re about developing the system, by giving people the tools to bridge the skills gap.
“It’s not enough to fix isolated parts of the skills pipeline, we need to transform the whole journey,” says Stuart Rattray, Head of Skills and Policy. “SEED is about helping our industry inspire young people, planting ideas early when they are beginning to think about a career. The Skills Legacy Programme gives experienced professionals a powerful new chapter, allowing them to preserve decades of industry knowledge by passing it directly onto the next generation”
Addressing the skills shortage isn’t about a single solution, its one that requires a joined-up approach—its about rebuilding the pipeline from the ground up. Government and industry must move together. As FE News’ Lauren Eden rightly points out, “It is the perfect storm, this could be the ideal time for experienced professionals to down their tools and explore a rewarding career change into teaching or lecturing, encouraging students and showcasing first-hand experience of what a career in the industry looks like.” We must inspire young people in the classroom, invest in practical training and remove the obstacles that block progress.
At BESA, we believe the future of the built environment depends on what we build today, not just in bricks, but in people.