The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched an accelerated apprenticeship programme aimed at increasing the supply of skilled workers for housebuilding and addressing regional construction skills shortages.

The initiative forms part of CITB’s wider support package for the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes by 2029. It is expected to deliver 1,680 apprenticeship starts over the next four years in key homebuilding trades, including bricklaying, carpentry and roofing.

The programme will allow apprentices to complete their training in 14 to 18 months, compared with the typical two to three years. CITB said the shorter duration will be achieved through intensive early-stage training combined with block-release learning and onsite work experience.

An initial five programmes will be established through further education colleges and training providers in areas with high housing demand and identified skills gaps: Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Kent, and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. CITB plans to expand this to 20 programmes by mid-2029.

The training body said the model is designed to increase apprenticeship uptake, improve completion rates and provide employers with a faster route to recruit skilled workers.

The programme follows the establishment of new strategic partnerships between CITB and mayoral authorities across England and will support the delivery of Local Skills Improvement Plans. It will also contribute to a National Construction Mayoral Network that CITB expects to launch later this year.

Participating colleges and training providers will receive set-up funding of up to £33,625 per programme, alongside apprenticeship funding and employer support through CITB’s New Entrant Support Team (NEST).

Housing needs require a ‘step change’

Tim Balcon, chief executive of CITB, said: “Meeting the scale of the UK’s housing need requires a step change in how we train people for construction careers. Accelerated Apprenticeships are a key part of that shift – helping more people gain the skills they need more quickly, and in the areas where they are most needed.

“As an industry, we need to place greater focus on outcomes – ensuring that apprenticeships lead to sustained, high-quality employment. That’s how we build a workforce that is not only larger, but more resilient for the future.”

The launch comes as the construction sector faces ongoing labour shortages, with industry bodies warning that tens of thousands of additional workers will be needed to meet housing and infrastructure targets over the coming years.