“Skill, baby, skill”: NHBC welcomes 50,000 new apprenticeships but stresses the supply of skilled workers will decide UK housing future

Roger Morton, Director of Business Change at the National House Building Council (NHBC) said: “Today’s commitment from the Prime Minister to create 50,000 new apprenticeship opportunities is an important step in tackling youth unemployment and supporting sectors vital to the UK’s economic future, not least construction.

At NHBC, we say it is all about “Skill, baby, skill” if we are to ensure we have the workforce needed to build 1.5 million homes and achieve the Government’s ambition to “Build, baby, build!” The supply of skilled workers will ultimately determine whether the country can meet its housing targets.

Enabling builders and subcontractors of all sizes to feel confident in taking on apprentices is critical to meeting housing targets. Right now, cost, time and uncertainty about future work may be holding them back. That is why it is encouraging to see the Government expanding support for young people through today’s announcement, along with the Budget commitment by Chancellor Rachel Reeves to make training for under 25 apprenticeships completely free for small and medium sized enterprises.

This support is timely. The construction sector needs a rapid increase of new talent and apprenticeships remain one of the most effective routes into long term, high quality careers.

NHBC is playing its part with its £100 million investment to train 3,000 new apprentices every year and the creation of 12 new multi skill training hubs across the UK. These hubs use an intensive training model that enables apprentices to complete their training in just 14 to 18 months. This gives young people realistic, hands-on experience and gives employers confidence that apprentices are site ready from day one.

Our expanding national network includes our multi skill training hubs in Lichfield and Northstowe, Cambridgeshire, which will both officially open in early 2026. These centres will train the next generation of skilled housebuilders in the trades most urgently needed, including brickwork, groundwork and site-carpentry to support the delivery of new homes.

We look forward to working with Government, local mayors and industry partners to ensure these initiatives deliver real impact. Together, we can build the skilled workforce needed to get Britain building again.”