Category: People
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Government cuts higher level apprenticeship funding
The UK government has announced plans to “refocus” funding away from Level 7 (masters level) apprenticeships from January 2026. From next year, only existing apprentices or those aged 16-21 will be eligible for levy-funded training. According to the government, the new measures will allow levy funding to be “rebalanced towards training at lower levels, where…
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Job spotlight: Natalie Webb, social value manager, Ashe Construction
When I got the job, friends and family asked what social value was. When I explained that it is about the company operating with purpose and having a positive effect on society, not just focusing on the bottom line, they all said: “That’s brilliant, I didn’t know it was a thing!” View the original article…
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‘We need to educate young people about construction careers’
Attracting new talent into the construction industry was top of mind during the delivery of Belfast Grand Central Station for Translink. If government is to realise its ambition to ‘get Britain building’ and deliver on its hugely ambitious infrastructure targets, it needs to do more to fix the education system and attract young people into…
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Girls’ summer camp launched to promote built environment
The Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Ireland will be hosting a Built Environment Summer Camp for 12 to 14-year-old girls in June. Described as the first of its kind in Ireland, the event will assist in raising awareness around careers in the construction and engineering sector, aiming to increase female participation in study and apprenticeships. …
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Housing association expands apprenticeship scheme for skilled trades
L&Q has launched its 2025 apprenticeship programme, offering placements for 20 aspiring tradespeople – with more positions expected to open later this year. The housing association is investing in future talent by expanding its apprenticeship and graduate programme across the organisation. This year, the intake will double in size, with 20 new roles in plumbing,…
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Immigration white paper: what it means for UK construction
The government’s new immigration white paper – Restoring control over the immigration system – outlines significant policy reforms. It is aimed at ending overreliance on low-wage overseas workers, strengthening domestic workforce training and development, and reducing net migration figures from historically high levels. As part of its broader immigration reforms, the government aims to rebuild…
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Safeguarding must-haves for employing apprentices
Gemma, one of the instructors at the ITP, who teaches Billy and other 16 to 17-year-old apprentices once a week, and is unsupervised while doing so, is in regulated activity with children and can undergo an enhanced DBS check as part of the child workforce, including a review of the children’s barred list. View the…
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Levy-paying employers endorse CITB proposals
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has received support from 67% of construction employers for its 2026-29 levy proposals. In addition, 12 out of the 14 prescribed organisations – federations and associations that present the levy proposals to their levy-paying members – are in agreement with the 2026-29 proposals. Typically undertaken every three years, the…
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What’s your team’s purpose?
Every team has a purpose, or at least had a purpose when the team was put together. But what happens when people lose focus of their shared mission? When I am coaching leadership teams, I ask about the purpose of the team. The responses are usually mixed, lacking clarity and alignment. The individual members are…
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What’s your team’s purpose?
Every team has a purpose, or at least had a purpose when the team was put together. But what happens when people lose focus of their shared mission? When I am coaching leadership teams, I ask about the purpose of the team. The responses are usually mixed, lacking clarity and alignment. The individual members are…