Apprenticeships: The Key to Solving the Construction Industry’s Workforce Shortage

According to new research by money.co.uk, the construction sector is facing one of the most significant workforce shortages in the UK, with 16% of businesses struggling to find skilled labour.

The findings, based on ONS data, underscore the urgent need for the construction industry to take proactive measures to develop a skilled workforce. Apprenticeships present a vital solution, helping to steady the pipeline of talent and ensure a steady influx of trained professionals into the sector.

Apprenticeships: Building the Future Workforce

One key contributor to the shortage is an ageing workforce coupled with an insufficient intake of younger talent. The industry also faces ongoing challenges with diversity, remaining largely male-dominated, which limits its ability to attract new workers from a broader demographic.

Apprenticeships offer a clear path to overcoming these issues by equipping young people with hands-on experience, industry-recognised qualifications, and a direct route into long-term careers. As a training provider, SIMIAN is crucial in delivering high-quality apprenticeships, ensuring that recruits enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive.

How SIMIAN Apprenticeships Help Secure the Industry’s Future

• A Reliable Talent Pipeline

By engaging young people early through structured training programs, apprenticeships create a consistent flow of skilled workers ready to step into key roles within the industry.

• Practical, Hands-On Learning

Unlike traditional education routes, apprenticeships provide real-world experience that prepares individuals for the complexities of the job from day one.

• Closing the Skills Gap

As apprenticeship programs are designed in collaboration with industry, they ensure that trainees gain relevant, up-to-date skills that align with evolving industry demands.

• Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion

Encouraging a wider range of applicants to join apprenticeships can help create a more diverse workforce, fostering innovation and fresh perspectives in construction.

• Long-Term Career Growth

Apprenticeships not only open doors for new entrants but also provide a clear path for career progression, benefiting both employees and employers.

• Productivity

Apprentices can be more productive than their training costs, with employers in the UK seeing a yearly gain of £2,500–£18,000 per apprentice.*

The Role of Training Providers in Shaping the Workforce

Training providers like SIMIAN are at the forefront of addressing the industry’s labour shortages. Through tailored apprenticeship programs, they help businesses nurture talent, ensuring that recruits develop both technical expertise and a strong understanding of health and safety standards.

Dave Randles, Operations Director commented:

“Apprenticeships are the backbone of a sustainable and skilled workforce in the construction industry. By investing in young talent early, we not only bridge the skills gap but also cultivate a new generation of professionals who are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and safety awareness needed to excel. At SIMIAN, we are committed to developing apprenticeships that provide real career opportunities while ensuring the industry’s long-term success.”

Construction firms can future-proof their workforce by investing in apprenticeships.

A Call to Action for the Industry

With the demand for skilled labour growing, businesses must prioritise apprenticeships as a core recruitment strategy. By doing so, the construction industry can attract, develop, and retain the talent needed to drive infrastructure development and economic growth in the UK.

To learn more about SIMIAN’s apprenticeship programmes email apprenticeships@simian-risk.com or phone 0345 6022 418.

*Federation of Small Businesses