Background
We spoke with Alex McConnell, Training and Logistics Manager at Wearmouth Construction about apprenticeships, the growing skills gap in home building and the wide variety of career opportunities available in construction.
Apprenticeships at Wearmouth Construction
The team at Wearmouth Construction have been offering apprenticeships for many years. Now, with the increased emphasis from government, CITB and the wider construction industry to recruit and train more apprentices, they have increasingly looked at where they can bring people into the business, as well as offer development opportunities to existing staff.
Alex said “For us, apprenticeships are becoming a much more important part of how we support both new entrants and upskill those already working here. They provide a structured way for people to build on their experience, develop new skills and broaden their knowledge of construction.”
The benefits of apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a proven, cost-effective way to combine hands-on experience with study. Employers benefit from apprenticeships as they support the creation of a workforce ready to meet the growing demands of the construction industry, while also offering apprentices the chance to start their career journey by learning and earning at the same time.
As Alex explained “The biggest benefit for us [at Wearmouth Construction] is the opportunity to develop our future workforce. Apprenticeships allow us to create a pipeline of talent which also helps with succession planning. Construction has an ageing workforce so businesses across the industry must think about where the next generation of skilled workers, supervisors and managers is going to come from.”
He added “For the apprentices themselves an apprenticeship really does offer a lot. They get the combination of a recognised qualification, structured training, real construction experience and a wage all at the same time. The other important benefit is progression; an apprentice can join the industry in one role and ultimately progress to supervision, site management or another specialist area. An apprenticeship shouldn't just lead to somebody completing a qualification, it should give them the foundation for a career.”
We also asked Alex if he felt there were any challenges in offering apprenticeships. He said “Yes there can be challenges. From an employer's point of view, apprenticeships require a genuine commitment. You need to provide the time, supervision and workplace experience necessary for somebody to develop. There can also be quite a lot of administration associated with apprenticeships and the different funding and evidence requirements. But I wouldn't describe those as reasons not to employ apprentices; overall, we believe the benefits considerably outweigh any disadvantages.”
NHBC apprenticeships and training hubs
Across the construction industry there is an increasing awareness of the growing skills gap and a highly skilled but ageing workforce nearing retirement.
In 2024, it was estimated by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) that for every 10,000 new homes built the sector needs approximately 30,000 new workers. Across 12 essential trades this included 5,000 groundworkers, 2,500 bricklayers and 1,000 carpenters. That is why NHBC developed a comprehensive Level 2 apprenticeship offering in groundworks, bricklaying and site carpentry specifically developed to teach these valuable skills at pace.
The team at Wearmouth Construction were invited to an open day at the NHBC Training Hub in Newcastle in December 2024 and decided to enrol groundworks apprentices in September 2025.
Alex told us “I attended [the hub] with one of our directors and we were both very impressed with the facilities. Alongside a dedicated construction training environment where apprentices can develop their technique and confidence, they also learn from trainers who understand the industry they are going into. This means there is a strong connection between what they’re being taught and what they are going to encounter when they return to site. For an employer, it gives us confidence that the training complements what we’re trying to teach them in the workplace.”
Showcasing careers in construction
We spoke to Alex about Wearmouth Construction’s success with apprenticeships and asked him if he felt more could be done to promote them to people outside the construction industry.
He said “Our apprentices are a real benefit to the business; not only do they help with the workload on live sites, but they also bring fresh energy and enthusiasm to projects. For example, at Taylor Wimpey’s Herrington View development near the Penshaw Monument, Kane Hegarty has impressed us with his reliability, punctuality and excellent attitude towards studying. Working alongside experienced colleagues gives him the opportunity to apply and develop his skills while also learning from those around him.”
In relation to supporting apprenticeships Alex commented “Yes. I think we need to do more to promote this sector to young people. There are so many different routes available within construction, from trades and groundworks through to plant, engineering, quantity surveying, supervision and management; but I don’t think young people are aware of the range of opportunities. Within construction, somebody can complete an apprenticeship with a recognised qualification and gain several years of experience at the same time, not to mention the ongoing training available meaning that there is always the option to ‘add another string to your bow’ and learn something new. As an industry we absolutely need to keep working on changing the perception that an apprenticeship is somehow a ‘lesser’ route and showcase the rewarding opportunities available.”
