The chancellor has announced a £600m investment to train up to 60,000 construction workers and tackle the sector’s skills shortages.

Reforms will get young people into well paid, high skilled, jobs in the construction sector by funding additional placements, establishing Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships and expanding Skills Bootcamps.

The announcement has come ahead of the Spring Statement – due to be made on Wednesday (26 March).

Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said: “We are determined to get Britain building again, that’s why we are taking on the blockers to build 1.5 million new homes and rebuild our roads, rail and energy infrastructure.

“But none of this is possible without the engineers, brickies, sparkies, and chippies to actually get the work done, which we are facing a massive shortage of.

“We’ve overhauled the planning system that is holding this country back, now we are gripping the lack of skilled construction workers, delivering on our Plan for Change to boost jobs and growth for working people.”

Latest Office for National Statistics figures show there are more than 35,000 job vacancies in the sector and employers report more than half of vacancies can’t be filled due to a lack of required skills – the highest rate of any sector. Demand is expected to increase further to deliver the homes and infrastructure that this country needs.

The announcement will provide £100m of new investment to fund 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges and £165m of new funding to help colleges deliver more construction courses.

Skills Bootcamps in the construction sector will also be expanded, with £100m of funding to ensure new entrants, returners, or those looking to upskill within the industry will be able to do so.

All Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas will benefit from £20m to form partnerships between colleges and construction companies, to boost the number of teachers with construction experience in colleges, sharing their vital expertise by training the next generation of workers.

Construction will also be one of the key sectors that will benefit from new foundation apprenticeships backed by an additional £40m, which will be launching in August this year.

This will inspire more young people into the construction industry and allow them to progress and specialise in advanced apprenticeships, giving them the tools they need for a sustained and rewarding career.

As part of this new offer, employers will be provided with £2,000 for every foundation apprentice they take on and retain in the construction industry, on top of fully funding the training costs through the new Growth and Skills Levy.

A further £100m of government funding, alongside a £32m contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) will fund more than 40,000 industry placements each year for all Level 2 and Level 3 learners, those studying NVQs, BTECs, T-levels, and advanced apprenticeships.

This will help get learners ‘site-ready’ and address the ‘leaky pipeline’ of learners who don’t progress into the sector. The CITB will also double the size of their New Entrant Support Team (NEST) programme to support SMEs in recruiting, engaging, and retaining apprentices.

An additional £80m capital fund will support employers to deliver bespoke training based on their needs.

To ensure employers are able to work collaboratively to secure the workforce needed to meet future demand, the government will sponsor a new Construction Skills Mission Board.

Co-chaired by government and by Mark Reynolds, executive chair of Mace, the board will be empowered to develop and deliver a construction skills action plan and provide strategic leadership to the construction sector.

The government’s communications campaigns continue to promote skills and their contribution to opportunity and growth for individuals and employers.

In collaboration with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Job Centre Plus, the DfE campaign highlights the construction industry’s value for growth, celebrating employers who contribute significantly to workforce training, and emphasising the benefits of careers in construction.

The announcement follows a series of reforms announced during National Apprenticeship Week, including changes to English and maths requirements that will see up to 10,000 more apprentices qualify each year in key sectors, and new shorter apprenticeships. Changes to end point assessments will also mean it is even easier for businesses and providers to support getting people into the workforce.

Last year the education secretary announced new Construction Skills Hubs, funded by industry, which will also speed up the training of construction workers crucial to supporting the government’s homebuilding drive.

Mark Reynolds, executive chair Mace, co-chair of the Construction Mission Board and co-chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said: This is fantastic news and demonstrates that Government is committed to working with the construction industry to deliver 1.5m homes by the end of this parliament and its ambitious plans for infrastructure delivery.

“It’s a hugely significant funding package, and the establishment of the Construction Skills Mission Board will enable us to collaborate with Government to drive change at pace.

“Understandably, construction firms across the country are looking for certainty of pipeline before they commit to investing in new jobs and skills – but this investment by the chancellor will be critical in giving them the confidence they need. There is now no excuse – industry must embrace the Government’s growth mission and match their ambition.”

Tim Balcon, CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) chief executive, added: “We are delighted with the support the Government is giving the construction sector with increased investment.

“This package will provide vital support, where it is needed most – it will cut straight to the heart of the construction industry being able to address the challenge of building 1.5m new homes for people that desperately need them.

“As an industry, we now need to grasp this opportunity and play our part in delivering it. I genuinely believe this is a once-in-a-generation chance to us to recruit and train our workforce – equipping more people with the skills they urgently need now and in the future.”

The announcement has also been welcomed by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). Chief executive Alasdair Reisner said it was "great news" for industry and all who will go on to well-paid, rewarding jobs in the construction sector.

He added: “But more than that, it is a net positive for the UK economy, as it will unleash the talent we have in the UK to build a more prosperous future for communities across the country.

“Whether it is through the provision of new homes or the vital infrastructure society relies upon, the construction sector is a driver of economic growth and a creator of well-paid, sustainable and secure jobs.

“This investment in skills is an investment in the future of our country and shows the UK government is leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of growth.

“We look forward to working with CECA members, skills providers, and all other stakeholders to ensure the government gets the biggest bang for its buck on this investment.

“CECA has been closely involved in the development of this government support and we will be working closely with businesses - both in our membership and in the wider construction sector - to make sure the skills are in place for building a stronger, more prosperous economy in the years ahead.”