CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NEWS
UK ‘lacks the skills to hit net zero’, MPs warn
They also say SMEs will require support to take on inexperienced entrants. Committee Chair Bill Esterson MP said: “It is essential that we build the workforce for the energy transition so that the government can hit its clean energy targets and, importantly, ensure that the UK makes the most of the growth opportunity of the century. “The committee has found that market forces alone cannot overcome the skills gap. We need policy certainty for the long-term, locally directed investment in training, and policies that make clean energy careers attractive and accessible.” FMB Chief Executive Brian Berry gave evidence to the inquiry. He said the FMB “strongly welcomes the committee’s call for a nationally recognised, industry- backed construction and retrofit skills programme”. He added that SMEs are “the backbone of the construction industry” but are often overlooked in skills planning. Scan the QR code for the full report.
T he UK will miss its clean-energy and building-decarbonisation targets without major governmental intervention in construction skills training, MPs warned. A report from the House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee says the country is far from assembling the skilled workforce required for the 2030 and 2050 milestones and must act immediately to close the gap, including the government providing direct public funding to boost the supply of trained workers. The report highlights an urgent need for labour to support new-build housing and the national retrofit programme required to improve energy efficiency. An estimated 250,000 additional workers are needed to meet upcoming housing targets, with many more required for insulation and heat-pump
installation. After what the committee describes as “shocking failures” in earlier government-backed retrofit and insulation schemes, MPs are calling for a nationally recognised, industry- backed construction and retrofit skills programme. Losing talent The committee says the UK may need to import specialised labour in the short term and warns that the construction training pipeline is leaking talent at an unsustainable rate, with up to 70% of learners on construction-related further education courses not completing or not entering the sector. MPs recommend expanding and formalising “try-before-you-buy” opportunities to give trainees hands-on experience and encourage retention.
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