Workforce development is getting a fresh push in the UK construction sector, and it matters for any contractor trying to keep skills on the bench and quality on the job.
The Construction Industry Training Board has selected organisations to deliver its new Specialist Upskilling Fund, a programme designed to tackle skills shortages in specialist occupations where training can be limited, expensive, or tough to access. The successful applicants will work with employers over the next 12 months to identify skills needs, improve access to specialist training, and support workers pursuing sector-specific NVQs.
CITB said the fund is expected to enable access to up to 600 additional specialist NVQs across the supported sectors. Rather than paying for training directly, the fund provides up to £35,000 for each specialist sector to cover the cost of running the programme and supporting employers. CITB expects the projects to run from July 2026 to June 2027.
For contractors working in areas like heritage construction and retrofit, the focus on competence is a timely signal. CITB has separately pointed to challenges in maintaining traditional skills, and it expects demand for repair, maintenance, and improvement work to grow. That kind of work can depend on crews who can deliver consistent results on existing buildings, where the details and finishes matter.
The selected organisations will carry out training needs analysis with employers, help identify appropriate training providers and funding routes, support employers in accessing specialist NVQs, and produce an annual skills report for their sector. Contractors who want to take advantage of the support can start by getting clear on where the skills gaps are in their teams, which NVQs align with the work they’re booking, and what training access issues are slowing them down.
Read the full, original article from Construction Management Magazine here.