National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Investing in skills for a stronger future

National Apprenticeship Week is always a great time to reflect on what sits at the heart of our industry and our country’s success: investment in skills.

At Caddick Construction, we don’t see skills development as optional; providing work based learning is a fundamental responsibility we carry as employers, industry leaders and contributors to the community and economy.

Every year, the construction industry delivers vital development, whether its employment space, housing or public infrastructure, yet our sector is facing a skills challenge of unprecedented scale. The latest forecasts from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) show that between now and 2028 the industry will need over 250,000 more workers. To meet this, apprenticeship starts would need to triple compared to current levels.

This isn’t just about filling numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about ensuring homes, hospitals and schools get built. The Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this decade is ambitious, but without a pipeline of skilled people, these targets are at real risk.

Across regions like the West Midlands, opportunities are growing rapidly, with bespoke training packages and funding initiatives helping to equip new entrants with the tools they need. In the North West, the highest number of new construction apprenticeships in 2023–24 suggests there's an appetite among young people to build careers in trades that were once overlooked. Similarly, Yorkshire & the Humber is creating routes into meaningful work, and the North East continues to invest in engaging local talent through skills programmes that bridge the gap between education and employment.

We also recognise that tackling the skills challenge cannot be done in isolation. That’s why we work closely with our regional supply chain partners and sub-contractors to provide greater visibility of our forward pipeline. By sharing long-term workload expectations, we give businesses the confidence to plan ahead, whether that’s recruiting apprentices, investing in training, or developing specialist skills that will be needed in years to come. This collaborative approach strengthens not only our projects, but the wider construction ecosystem, ensuring that local suppliers can grow sustainably while continuing to offer meaningful opportunities for people entering the industry.

But we must go further. Investing in apprentices isn’t just about training hands; it’s about nurturing minds. Fresh ideas, new perspectives and innovative thinking are vital if we are to evolve in a world where changes in technology, sustainability and digital transformation are constantly redefining how we work. Apprentices bring enthusiasm and creativity that challenge established practice and help our industry adapt and thrive in changing times.

As business leaders and educators, it is not just our responsibility but our privilege to make career pathways accessible and rewarding. The future of our built environment, and the communities we serve, depends on a skilled, confident and forward-looking workforce. This National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating our commitment to not only invest in skills, but in people and their potential.