
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Skills Development at BESA: Shaping the Future
At BESA, our commitment to skills development is at the heart of our mission to support the building engineering services industry. Our newly formed Skills and Policy team is focused on driving improvements in industry standards, policies, and regulations relating to skills, ensuring our members best interests remain at the forefront of sectoral innovation and workforce development.
Apprenticeships: Building the Future Workforce
A core priority for the Skills and Policy team is the ongoing evolution and maintenance of sector apprenticeships across all four nations. Apprenticeships are the foundation of a strong, skilled workforce, and we are committed to supporting their continual development to meet the needs of the industry.
In 2023, we conducted a thorough review of apprenticeships in England in partnership with the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE). This cyclical review ensures that the apprenticeship frameworks stay relevant and robust, preparing apprentices for the modern challenges of the sector. Looking ahead, we have plans to carry out similar reviews in Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2025, further ensuring that the standards are aligned with industry requirements across the UK.
By leading the way in apprenticeship development, BESA maintains its position as the sector’s skills experts, providing the necessary frameworks to nurture the next generation of professionals in building engineering services.

Supporting the Standard Setting Body (SSB)
The Skills and Policy team also plays a crucial role in facilitating the Standard Setting Body (SSB) through The Skills Partnership Committee. Acting as the Secretariat to the SSB, we offer comprehensive support to those submitting learning and assessment pathway applications for committee review.
This work is highly detailed and essential in maintaining and enhancing the standards for workforce competencies. With the ongoing withdrawal of Industry Accreditation (grandfather rights) and the increasing importance of demonstrating skills, knowledge, experience, and behaviours under the Building Safety Act, the role of the SSB has become more critical than ever. Employers across the sector rely on the SSB’s frameworks to ensure their teams meet the stringent requirements for safety and professional excellence.
Our team’s efforts in supporting the SSB ensures that these frameworks are both relevant and reflective of the current industry landscape, helping employers meet their legal obligations while fostering a skilled and compliant workforce.
Leading Industry Skills Development
BESA’s Skills and Policy team is dedicated to ensuring that our sector remains at the cutting edge of skills development. From apprenticeship reviews to setting competency frameworks, our work influences the entire building engineering services industry, helping to shape its future through high standards of training and development.
Interested in playing your part?
For more information on how our Skills and Policy team is supporting skills development and industry standards, and for the chance to get involved, email the team sas@thebesa.com or call 01768 861767.