New Construction Skills Network Launched in Yorkshire

Leaders unite to address construction workforce shortages

On 11 September, over 160 representatives from education, construction, and local government sectors gathered at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds to launch a regional initiative aimed at tackling construction skills shortages across Yorkshire and the Humber. The event was hosted by Leeds College of Building (LCB), which has been designated as the regional hub for the Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) network.

CTEC Network to Support Workforce Development

The newly established CTEC network seeks to develop a skilled construction workforce by collaborating with local employers, regional authorities, and education providers. Operating under a ‘hub and spoke’ model, LCB will coordinate efforts with 22 partner colleges across the region to share expertise, raise teaching standards, and widen access to construction training.

The network’s focus includes addressing shortages in high-demand trades such as bricklaying, carpentry, roofing, and electrical work. These skills are considered essential to support major infrastructure projects, housing development, retrofit programmes, and initiatives aimed at achieving Net Zero carbon emissions.

Event Highlights and Key Participants

• Guest speakers included Lindsey Daniels, Inclusive Economy Lead at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and Lorna Leach, Co-Founder of Social Value Engine.
• A panel discussion was led by Carly Sidebottom, LCB Assistant Principal for Partnerships & Adults, featuring representatives from Leeds City Council, Persimmon Homes, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, and Canopy Housing.
• LCB CEO and Principal Nikki Davis emphasised the importance of collaboration to fill workforce skills gaps, including green skills, digitisation, and Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
• Rob Holmes, LCB Vice Principal, highlighted the network’s role in creating employment pathways and supporting regional economic growth.

Addressing a National Skills Shortage

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimates that the UK requires more than 41,000 additional construction workers annually, amounting to approximately 206,000 over five years. This demand is driven by the need to replace an ageing workforce and to overcome challenges such as workers’ reluctance to travel long distances.

Expansion of Training Facilities

To support the CTEC network’s goals, LCB has begun renovating a newly acquired 5,000 m² building on Melbourne Street, adjacent to its North Street Campus in Leeds. This expansion will increase the college’s estate by a third and aims to facilitate training for up to 40,000 additional people in construction trades by 2029.

The establishment of the CTEC network represents a coordinated regional effort to address construction skills shortages and support sustainable growth within Yorkshire and the Humber’s construction sector.