Category: skills
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Ibstock’s new training academy backs ‘job-ready skills’
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Building products manufacturer Ibstock has launched a pilot training academy at Walsall College. Ibstock Academy was recently unveiled during a launch event at Walsall College’s Green Lane Campus. The event was attended by students, educators, and representatives from across the industry, including Keon Homes, West Midlands Combined Authority, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), and the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The new…
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Why procurement power is missing the skills target
The industry must take a zero-tolerance approach to training programmes that fail to provide pathways into construction careers. It’s time to be honest. Despite best intentions, the potential of public procurement to leverage genuine high-volume investment in skills and employment pathways has been chronically underused. The good news, however, is that the government knows it,…
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Call for more women to join Lower Thames Crossing project
“In terms of impact on the economy of the surrounding areas, the Lower Thames Crossing is huge, and we want to be able to use it as an opportunity to recruit people from the local area in the hope it can create new opportunities to benefit the community and leave a lasting skills legacy,” Condon…
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Government urged to refine foundation apprenticeships strategy
EngineeringUK is urging the government to implement a series of recommendations to help refine foundation apprenticeships. In a new report, Pathways to success: shaping foundation apprenticeships in engineering and technology, EngineeringUK sets out seven criteria for the government to consider: Objectives are clear and complement other policies. Sectors with demand for level 2 foundation apprentices are identified.…
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CIOB Aspire launched to champion early careers in construction
“We are delighted to be launching CIOB Aspire, which aims to do just that by providing information, resources and opportunities to support those looking to take their first steps into a career in construction and the built environment, whilst also supporting parents, teachers, careers advisers, employers and CIOB members too.” View the original article and…
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HS2 welcomes new recruits in the West Midlands
Career opportunities across the HS2 project are helping to boost local employment in the West Midlands. Latest figures show that HS2’s Midlands-based construction partner Balfour Beatty Vinci (BBV) has welcomed 69 new recruits in the last three months. This figure is expected to rise in the coming weeks as more candidates join the project. In…
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ECITB announces new welding qualification
The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has announced the launch of a new welding qualification. The ECITB Awarding Organisation, which develops and quality assures regulated qualifications in England, Wales and Scotland, has launched the new level 2 diploma in introduction to welding in engineering construction operations. The course includes units on safe working practices, communications…
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Contractor offers support for local T-Level students
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Beard Construction is partnering Abingdon and Witney College to offer on-site work experience to students in Oxford. The contractor will support the full student cohort for the duration of their two-year T-Level in design, surveying and planning for construction. The partnership will see Beard colleagues provide hands-on opportunities for students to join them on construction…
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Survey finds 61% of construction SMEs are facing skills shortages
Almost two thirds (61%) of construction SMEs are being affected by a lack of skilled tradespeople, according to a joint report from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The findings from the latest SME State of Trade Survey show that despite strong growth in workloads during the first half of 2025,…
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CITB funding changes: CEO defends ‘quick and decisive’ action
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) recently announced a range of changes to its grants and funding system. Here, CEO Tim Balcon tells CM People why the changes have been made and how they will impact the industry Why have the changes to funding and grants been made? For too long, there have been too…