CITB NEWS
SKILLS MUST SIT AT THE HEART OF NORTHERN IRELAND’S CONSTRUCTION FUTURE, SAYS THE INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD, WITH AN EXTRA 5,200 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS NEEDED FROM 2026-2030… 5,200 construction workers needed
CITB NI runs free Construction Careers Bootcamps.
Unit, CITB NI continues to prioritise accessible, employer-led training that reduces barriers to participation while maintaining industry standards. However, addressing future demand is not just about training those already in the industry, it is also about attracting the next generation. Heritage skills programmes, including the Future for Thatch project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, are helping preserve traditional crafts while opening new employment pathways. At the same time, CITB NI’s ‘Build Your Career - A Future in Construction’ initiative is working to change perceptions among young people and career influencers through school engagement, careers resources, ambassador support and student bursaries. Forecast growth will not be achieved through policy or projection alone. It depends on sustained collaboration between employers, educators and industry bodies to ensure training translates into real, job-ready capacity. Northern Ireland’s construction sector has the demand, the pipeline of projects and the policy direction. What it must now secure are the people to deliver it.
CITB NI is dedicated to driving skills development and training across Northern Ireland’s construction sector. Its role is to provide the resources, support and services that enable local construction businesses to grow, develop and thrive. New figures from the Construction Workforce Outlook Labour Market Intelligence Report for Northern Ireland forecast the volume of NI construction work will grow by an annual average rate of 1.9%. Figures also reveal that an additional 1,040 extra workers will be needed per year, meaning an extra 5,200 construction workers are needed from 2026-2030. In response to the longstanding challenges of developing a skilled workforce, this outlook highlights clear
opportunities ahead, but achieving them will require sustained commitment to training, stronger alignment between education and industry and continued investment in people. This is where CITB NI plays a central role.
CITB NI continues to provide the infrastructure needed to support
workforce development across the sector. Its £2.2m training grant scheme enables employers to invest in skills development, with funding ranging from £15 to £2,000, depending on the type of training. Importantly, this support extends beyond traditional trades, reflecting the diverse skills required within the construction industry. Alongside this, the Training in Partnership programme has delivered £1.8m in targeted support over the past decade. This has funded initiatives such as mental health awareness training, the Women in Plant pilot scheme and apprenticeship development in roofing - demonstrating a growing recognition that workforce resilience depends on both technical competence and wellbeing. Practical delivery remains a key strength. From CISRS-approved scaffolding training at the Nutts Corner facility to flexible on- site learning through the Mobile Training
CITB NI’s Mobile Training Unit offers flexible on-site learning.
T: +44 (0)28 9082 5466 - E: info@citbni.org.uk www.citbni.org.uk Want to know more?
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