The government has launched a new fund that will finance 20 on-site training hubs to help train people for the construction industry.

The £22 million fund will aim to help deliver 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s and to tackle the construction skills shortage, apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton has said. Around 158,000 new construction jobs are expected to be created in the UK over the next five years.

The 18-month scheme is funded by the Department for Education and will be administered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). By bringing training to construction sites, it will allow learners to apply their knowledge in a real-world environment.

On-site learning hubs

CITB is now calling on employers, housing associations and other interested bodies such as LEPs and local authorities to submit expressions of interest, and is stressing these can be from both existing and prospective on-site learning hubs. The funding will only support on-site training provision, and access to live construction projects is essential to qualify, according to the government announcement.

Ms Milton said: “For our economy to thrive we need everyone, regardless of their age or background, to be able to get the training and the skills they need to make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead.

“A career in construction offers the chance for many people to establish and grow their own business. On-site training will be hugely beneficial for employers and trainees, as it will help bridge the gap between training and working in the industry, meaning trainees are site-ready sooner.”