The National CTEC welcomes Construction Jobs Plan

The National Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTEC), part of The Bedford College Group, has welcomed the Government’s Construction Jobs Plan, which brings employers, colleges and government together to tackle construction’s skills shortage.

One of ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (CTECs) established through the Government’s £625 million Construction Skills Package, The National CTEC will help strengthen training and create clear routes into employment or higher-level study.

The plan supports the industry’s ambition to create 100,000 job opportunities a year by the end of this Parliament. Its ten industry commitments include brokerage support for employers and sector skills plans, backed by government support for placements, apprenticeships and the CTEC network.

Sam Egan, Group Director CTEC at The Bedford College Group, said: “Employers have told us what is holding them back: uncertain demand, the cost and complexity of training, and learners who aren’t yet site ready. The Construction Jobs Plan addresses those issues and puts collaboration at its centre. The National CTEC is built on the same principle. Employers shape what we teach, our learners get real placements, and our teachers go back into industry, so that what happens in college reflects what happens on site.”

The plan identifies uncertain demand, an ageing workforce and the challenges facing small firms as barriers to recruitment and training. SMEs account for 99.9% of construction firms, with around 95% classed as micro businesses, while around 35% of workers are aged 50 or over. Employers also report gaps in practical experience and site readiness, and construction teaching vacancies are twice the further education average.

Government support includes 40,000 industry placements a year for eligible construction learners, funded T Level placements, up to 10,000 new construction Foundation Apprenticeships and a £2,000 hiring payment for non-levy-paying employers taking on young apprentices. Training costs for eligible apprentices under 25 are fully funded. Teacher industry exchanges aim to improve teaching quality, while industry brokerage support will help small firms access training.

The National CTEC is already developing an employer-led curriculum, industry placements and teacher industry exchanges, alongside workforce intelligence and new routes into employment. Its Strategic Employer Advisory Group, bringing together employers, industry bodies and stakeholders, will help guide provision and sector priorities around current and future workforce needs.

Government funding for the CTEC network is committed up to 2029, including capital investment in industry-standard equipment. The National CTEC will build on teacher exchanges and the new Industry Placement Playbook for employers hosting Level 2 and 3 construction learners, with CTECs expected to report on exchange days delivered.

The National CTEC will also work with employers to prepare its curriculum and continuing professional development for new technical pathways, including V Levels from 2027 and Occupational Certificates in trades such as bricklaying and carpentry from 2028/29.

Its role extends to supporting the wider college network. In collaboration with CTECs, 41 projects approved through the Post 16 and Construction Skills Capacity Fund are expected to deliver an additional 10,000 construction learning places a year by September 2028.

To find out more about construction courses, visit https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/subjects/construction/