Training hubs

Our purpose-built facilities immerse apprentices in a realistic working environment and get them ready for life on site

Located near active home-building developments, our nationwide network of training hubs is designed to develop the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

To help address the UK’s house-building skills shortage, we’re investing £100 million to expand our network, launching 12 new training hubs to help train 3,000 site-ready tradespeople every year.

These purpose-built facilities will help to fast-track the development of skilled, site-ready apprentices in the trades that house builders need most - bricklaying, groundworking and site carpentry.

Our training hubs offer

Realistic site experience from day one

Apprentices are immersed in realistic site conditions, working on concrete slabs, building full-scale structures and following real site hours and safety standards. This practical approach builds confidence and contributes to our industry-leading retention rate.

Accelerated, front-loaded training

Our intensive delivery model builds core skills and training upfront, enabling apprentices to return to site ready to contribute. Accelerated learning enables apprentices to complete their qualifications in 14–18 months, nearly twice as fast as traditional routes.

Flexible, focused delivery

With multiple intake dates and smaller cohort sizes, our training hubs offer more one-to-one training and a structured learning environment that adapts to the needs of both apprentices and employers.

Training hub locations

Cambridge Training Hub

A training hub in the East of England for bricklaying and groundworker apprenticeships.

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Hull Training Hub

A training hub in the South Yorkshire and Humber area for bricklaying and groundworker apprenticeships.

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Newcastle Training Hub

A training hub in the North East for bricklaying and groundworker apprenticeships.

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Lichfield Training Hub

A training hub in the West Midlands for bricklaying, groundworker and site carpentry apprenticeships.

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Want to learn more and visit a training hub?

Join us at an open day to tour a hub, meet trainers and apprentices and see the facilities in action.

Find out more

an apprentice recieving one-to-one training from a tutor

"The new training hubs will revolutionise house-building training, tackle the skills shortage head-on and make a real difference to the future of the industry. Our mission is to make sure every apprentice meets NHBC’s industry-leading standards, driving quality and delivering the homes the UK urgently needs."

Roger Morton, Director of Business Change, NHBC

“The training hubs are a fantastic initiative for people who want to pursue a career in home building. We have worked closely with NHBC, government and the home-building industry to develop a programme that is focused on equipping individuals with the skills they need to be productive on site."

Tim Balcon, CEO, CITB

"NHBC’s training hubs are a fantastic initiative! They’re going to transform how the UK trains its house-building workforce. Training with NHBC means I’m gaining the best industry recognised qualification quickly."

Ben Thorburn, Bricklaying apprentice, NHBC Training Hub, Cambridge

"I thought I had lost my mind sending a 16-year-old to a training centre in the Midlands for his bricklaying training but I’ve eaten my words. He has come back from the training hub more mature, conscientious, responsible and with improved communication skills."

Senior Project Manager, Redrow Homes

"The new hub will be critical to ensure the future workforce is equipped with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver high quality, affordable homes in the future, as well as providing an opportunity for long-term employment for many young people and those seeking to retrain or change career."

Ian Worgan, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes

"The NHBC training hubs are going to make a real difference! It’s really appealing to apprentices and builders because these hubs will be training skilled tradespeople faster than ever, giving a huge boost to getting more quality homes built across the UK."

Alice Clay, Bricklaying apprentice, NHBC Training Hub, Hull

"We know that frequent changes to site location and the travel implications are a barrier for many in completing their apprenticeship. In providing this long-term training hub, we are providing stability and security for many people."

Karen Jones, Group HR Director at Redrow

"The way NHBC have created training hubs that mirror a real site works brilliantly; it benefits the apprentice because they know what to expect and what to do, and it benefits the employer because when that apprentice arrives they understand a site environment and can be earning straight away."

Garry Staines, Managing Director, GSQ Brickwork

"The trainers at the NHBC Training Hub are really good and helpful. The mix of learning at the hub and then going out onto site to put each part I have learnt into practice is what makes this apprenticeship so good."

Tawona Mativi, Bricklaying apprentice, NHBC Training Hub, Cambridge

"Overall, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from all taking part, with all of them benefitting from a simulated work environment, which will ultimately mean they are able to make a smooth transition back to site."

Anna Milne, Head of Talent, Redrow

Enquire about our apprenticeship programmes

Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss hiring an apprentice and working with us as your training provider. We will respond to you within three working days.

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Contact us for more information

If you would like more information, please use the contact form or call our training team.

0344 633 1000

Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00

Ready to apply?

If you're an employer ready to enrol a team member, or a prospective apprentice already employed, complete our application form and send it to qualifications@nhbc.co.uk.

A member of our apprenticeships team will be in touch to guide you through the next steps.

Download application form