Government Unveils Ambitious Skills Revolution to Boost Construction and Tackle Youth Unemployment

Young people across the UK are poised to benefit from 120,000 new training opportunities as part of a radical skills overhaul unveiled by the government, aimed at tackling skills shortages and creating new pathways into high-demand sectors such as construction, healthcare, and digital industries.

The sweeping reforms, announced on 27 May 2025, mark a turning point in the drive to get Britain working by unlocking opportunity for domestic talent, particularly in sectors like bricklaying, carpentry, and healthcare support, where there are acute skills gaps.

Backed by a record £3 billion apprenticeship budget, the measures aim to “refocus the skills landscape towards young, domestic talent” and will support 30,000 additional apprenticeship starts during this Parliament.

“A skilled workforce is the key to steering the economy forward, and today we’re backing the next generation by giving young people more opportunities to learn a trade, earn a wage and achieve and thrive,” said Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

“When we invest in skills for young people, we invest in a shared, stronger economic future – creating opportunities as part of our Plan for Change.

But everyone has a role to play in a thriving economy, and we’re taking our responsibility seriously providing more routes into employment, it’s now the responsibility of young people to take them.”

Construction Sector at the Heart of Reform

With a clear focus on high-demand sectors, the construction industry is set to benefit significantly from a multi-pronged approach, including:

• A 32% increase in the Immigration Skills Charge, set to fund up to 45,000 additional training places for UK workers in priority industries.

• The launch of 13 new Level 2 construction courses for adults in non-devolved areas under the Free Courses for Jobs initiative.

• £14 million in adult construction skills funding to be devolved to local mayors in the next academic year, which is expected to support up to 5,000 additional learners.

• An expansion of Construction Skills Bootcamps, with £100 million allocated over four years.

• 10 new technical excellence colleges, specialising in construction and set to open in September 2025.

This initiative is seen as a direct response to recent ONS data showing as many as one in eight 16-24-year-olds are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).

Gary Riches, Vice Principal of External Relations at Hartlepool College, welcomed the changes, saying:
“Foundation Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for young people to take their first step into the world of work while continuing to learn. They offer a real sense of direction, helping students build confidence, gain practical skills, and explore career options early.”

Mike Blakeley, Executive Director at Exeter College, also praised the reforms:
“Employers and young people’s demand for apprenticeships is stronger than ever.

The introduction of the Foundation Apprenticeship marks a vital step forward, offering targeted skills training and a clear pathway into employment for those under the age of 21… nowhere more urgently than in the construction sector here in the South West.”

“With the addition of Foundation Apprenticeships to our offering, these employers are now even better positioned to welcome young people into their organisations. We’re encouraged by the number of businesses already formally pledging their support for this great initiative and look forward to seeing its impact grow.”

Milton Walcott, HSEQ Manager at Complete Fixing Solutions Ltd, said:
“I am excited to see the government’s focus on expanding apprenticeships and skills training for young people… we’re looking forward to supporting these efforts to help build a strong, skilled workforce that drives economic growth.”

Rob Dodds, Controller at Unipres (UK) Ltd, added:
“What a fantastic opportunity for young people to start their careers with a Foundation Apprenticeship… We are looking forward to the chance to run these apprenticeships after their launch in August.”

Stephen Wilde, Managing Director at Southbourne Rubber Ltd, commented:
“This is a bold and vital step forward in building real opportunities for young people and adults to build skills that matter in industries that shape our future.”

Sarah Yong, Director at Youth Futures Foundation, highlighted the potential to reduce youth unemployment:
“With stubbornly high youth unemployment and inactivity, rebalancing the apprenticeship system can encourage investment in youth apprenticeships and is a first step in enabling more young people to access good work.”

Dani Payne, Senior Researcher at the Social Market Foundation, reinforced the point:
“The number of young people not in education, employment, or training is not just a statistic; it represents lost potential and missed opportunities…

Ensuring that there is appropriate funding for young people wishing to pursue apprenticeships is a crucial step in ensuring that all young people, regardless of their background, can access suitable, hands-on training that aligns with industry needs.”

Skills England Appointments Confirmed

As part of the wider reform, the government also confirmed board appointments to Skills England, the new national body that will shape training policy and delivery in collaboration with employers and regional leaders.

With the UK’s construction sector facing growing demand and long-term labour shortages, these changes are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the domestic talent pipeline and reducing reliance on overseas labour.

The announcement signals a fresh commitment to youth opportunity, national growth, and industry resilience, with construction standing front and centre.