Construction Skills Mission Board announcement
The formation of a Construction Skills Mission Board was announced by HM Treasury and The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP on 24 March, 2025 prior to the Spring Statement of 26 March. Deputy Prime Minister and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall attend inaugural Construction Skills Mission Board attended by CEOs from across the sector, launching industry commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament.
The announcement was regarding a 600 million investment for 60,000 more skilled construction workers, to be made available over the following four years, alongside supporting experienced builders to help train and inspire the next generation. Part of the funding package included establishing a new Construction Skills Mission Board to ensure that employers are able to work collaboratively to secure the workforce they need to meet future demands and help meet the target of building 1.5 million homes.
The new Construction Skills Mission Board will be Co-chaired by government and by Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair of Mace, the Board will be empowered to develop and deliver a construction skills action plan and provide strategic leadership to the construction sector.
At the time of the announcement Mark Reynolds, Executive Chair Mace, Co-Chair of the Construction Skills Mission Board and Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council said:
"This is fantastic news and demonstrates that Government is committed to working with the construction industry to deliver 1.5m homes by the end of this Parliament and its ambitious plans for infrastructure delivery. It’s a hugely significant funding package, and the establishment of the Construction Skills Mission Board will enable us to collaborate with Government to drive change at pace."
"Understandably, construction firms across the country are looking for certainty of pipeline before they commit to investing in new jobs and skills – but this investment by the Chancellor will be critical in giving them the confidence they need. There is now no excuse – industry must embrace the Government’s growth mission and match their ambition."
Tim Balcon, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) Chief Executive said:
"We are delighted with the support the Government is giving the construction sector with increased investment. This package will provide vital support, where it is needed most – it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5m new homes for people that desperately need them."
"As an industry, we now need to grasp this opportunity and play our part in delivering it. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce – equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future."
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[edit] External links
Government unleashes next generation of construction workers to build 1.5m homes
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/national-apprenticeship-week
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