The UK construction industry faces a mounting skills crisis as a surge in apprenticeship demand continues to outstrip opportunities, with fears that future talent is being locked out of the sector.
Family-owned contractor Seddon, headquartered in Bolton, has revealed it received a staggering 2,694 applications for just 20 apprenticeship roles in its latest recruitment round, a number large enough to build The Shard twice over.
The figures echo national concerns raised by the 2024 CITB Apprenticeship Report, which warned the UK requires 50,000 new construction apprentices annually to meet workforce demand, yet only 33,000 started in the 2023/24 period.
Industry leaders now fear the UK risks missing housing and infrastructure targets if this trend continues.
The organisation has voiced its support for the proposed Growth and Skills Levy,
Nicola Hodkinson, Owner and Director at Seddon, said: “We are not short of young people ready to work — we are short of employers ready to take them on. This is not the first time we’ve been heavily oversubscribed, and this year’s figures show just how much appetite there is from the next generation. But unless we see a collective shift across the industry in how we approach apprenticeships, we risk losing this talent to other sectors, or worse, seeing them join the growing number of young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).”
Encouraging signs for diversity, but opportunities falling short
The application pool highlighted encouraging signs of increased interest from underrepresented groups, with 8% of applicants identifying as female and 29% from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
While these figures remain below the sector’s traditionally white, male-dominated workforce, they indicate growing interest and the potential for greater diversity in construction, a prospect at risk if sufficient opportunities are not created.
According to the CITB, with 90% of UK construction firms employing fewer than 10 people, SME engagement in apprentice placements is critically low
Candidates also came from a broad spectrum of educational backgrounds and life stages. School leavers accounted for 18.4% of applicants, with 34.5% from further education, 20% from higher education, and a notable 25% aged over 21.
Calls for systemic change
While the Government has outlined plans to reform the apprenticeship system, including a proposed Growth and Skills Levy and the creation of Skills England, there are concerns within the sector that these measures may lack the authority and practical structure to drive meaningful change.
Hodkinson argues that strategies to address the construction skills shortage must be shaped by those creating the roles, particularly given the industry’s unique demands and high proportion of SMEs.
“We need more employers to step up, we need greater funding flexibility, and a system that truly supports apprenticeship employment. If we want to secure the future of UK construction, we have to invest in it — and that starts with apprentices.”
Hodkinson argues that strategies to address the construction skills shortage must be shaped by those creating the roles
According to the CITB, with 90% of UK construction firms employing fewer than 10 people, SME engagement in apprentice placements is critically low.
The organisation has voiced its support for the proposed Growth and Skills Levy, designed to replace the current Apprenticeship Levy and give employers more freedom to access the training their businesses need.
Danny Clarke, Engagement Director at CITB, commented: “It’s encouraging to see so many young people eager to join the construction industry, but these numbers also highlight the urgent need for more employers to offer apprenticeships. Our New Entrant Support Teams and the new Go Construct careers portal — launching later this month — will help connect candidates with employers and training opportunities.”
Seddon, which operates across the North West and Midlands, will be writing to all unsuccessful applicants, encouraging them to register with the new platform.
We need more employers to step up, we need greater funding flexibility, and a system that truly supports apprenticeship employment
The company is also in discussions with its supply chain, public sector clients, and education partners to help place qualified candidates into suitable roles elsewhere in the industry.
The company’s latest apprenticeship recruitment campaign offered roles for bricklayers, electricians, joiners, painters, plasterers, plumbers, site managers, estimators, and quantity surveyors.
Hodkinson added: “It’s heartbreaking to think we could lose these enthusiastic, capable individuals. With 31% of applicants already holding a construction qualification, there’s a real risk they’ll drift into other sectors. The whole industry must pull together to rebuild the talent pipeline and secure the future of UK construction.”
Top image: Seddon apprentices