The government has announced plans to create 13,000 new apprenticeship and T Level placement opportunities as part of a long-term drive to rebuild and modernise schools across England,
opening the door for thousands of young people to train in construction careers.
Under the forthcoming education estates strategy, construction companies working on publicly funded school projects will be required to demonstrate how they are supporting apprentices and T Level students. The move is designed to ensure the next generation of bricklayers, plumbers, engineers and construction professionals are trained alongside the delivery of new and refurbished school buildings.
In a bid to strengthen local economies, around 90 per cent of the placements will be offered within a 30-mile radius of the school being rebuilt, keeping opportunities close to home and helping communities benefit directly from investment in education infrastructure.
The policy supports the Prime Minister’s ambition for two thirds of young people to be in employment, education or training by 2028, equipping them with practical skills and real-world experience. The announcement was made during National Apprenticeship Week, which highlights the role apprenticeships play in economic growth and social mobility. Government research suggests apprentices contribute around £25 billion to England’s economy over their working lives.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said the rebuilding programme could not succeed without a strong, skilled workforce.
“We can’t rebuild schools that are fit for the future unless we have the skilled workers we need to build them.
Our education estates strategy will set out our vision for school and college buildings to deliver growth and opportunity to their local communities, backed by our plan for a decade of national renewal.
This government is leading by example, creating incredible opportunities for our young people by championing apprenticeships and T Levels in our school and college building projects”, - he said.
Alongside the apprenticeship drive, colleges have been invited to bid for a share of almost £300 million in capital funding to expand facilities and create more places, on top of £283 million already devolved to metro mayors and local leaders. The funding will support 16- to 19-year-olds, expand construction training provision and help tackle skills shortages across the sector.
For apprentices like Jay, a degree apprentice from Lee-on-Solent now working for the Kier Group on the rebuild of his former school, the programme is about more than bricks and mortar.
Jay said: “I feel our work here is important. It’s a great school and I felt that the teachers supported me to excel whilst I was there.
The new facilities will mean that the students and teachers will have the best school possible – meaning that students like my sister will have an even better place to learn.
I’m proud to be part of the Kier team leaving an impact for generations to come in Gosport”.
Managing director at Kier Construction Southern, John Boughton, said: “At Kier, we are committed to leaving lasting legacies for our communities. Jay’s story is just one example of how we nurture the next generation of talent into our industry.
Our teams engage directly with local schools, colleges and community groups to provide clear routes into the diverse range of careers in construction”.
The government has confirmed that funding for the School Rebuilding Programme will run through to 2034-35, with almost £20 billion committed to rebuilding more than 500 schools and sixth-form colleges. Contracts will now span eight years rather than four, enabling construction firms to plan ahead and invest more heavily in training.
Further education colleges, supported by a new network of ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, will play a central role in delivering the training and helping apprentices stay in work once qualified.
The announcement forms part of a broader Plan for Change, which includes a £1.5 billion investment to support almost one million young people into learning or work and create 50,000 additional apprenticeships over the next three years. Ministers have also pledged to cut red tape, reducing the time it takes to approve new apprenticeships and short courses from up to 18 months to as little as three.
New pilots to match applicants who narrowly miss out on an apprenticeship with similar opportunities nearby are expected later this year, alongside a new online platform offering clearer information on apprenticeship routes and career outcomes.
Full details of the education estates strategy are due to be published shortly. Photo by N Chadwick, Wikimedia commons.