Seddon owner and director, Nicola Hodkinson, said

“At Seddon, we receive thousands of applications for our apprenticeship scheme each year, around 100 for every role,”

“These are young people who want to work, develop practical skills and build long-term careers. Yet there are simply not enough places available to give them that chance.” 

Research from Trade Direct Insurance found that 42% of 14 to 16-year-olds are considering a career in construction or the trades, but this falls to 26% among 17 to 18-year-olds.

The latest government figures show apprenticeship starts have increased by 8.7% overall, while starts among under-19s have fallen by 5.4%. Construction apprenticeship starts rose by 5%, which Nicola describes as encouraging, though progress needs to happen much faster.

Meanwhile, CITB estimates that the industry will need an average of 41,200 additional workers every year between 2026 and 2030.

“Construction cannot keep complaining about its skills shortage while young people who want to join the industry are being turned away,” said Nicola Hodkinson.

Nicola Hodkinson believes employers must accept their share of the responsibility, with too much of the industry relying on a flexible or self-employed workforce and expecting somebody else to train the next generation.

She also recognises the barriers employers face. Training an apprentice is a long-term commitment involving wages, equipment, structured learning and experienced people giving up their time, yet there is very little funding available, and the support that does exist can be difficult to access.

Nicola welcomed the government’s new £2,000 hiring payment for smaller employers taking on young apprentices, and the decision to give jobs, skills and apprenticeships greater weight in major public contracts. She says these changes must now translate into more opportunities on the ground.

“Results day should open doors. Government, clients and employers now need to make sure construction creates enough of them.”

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