Training tomorrow’s construction leaders today

The future of the construction industry is bright, with a pro-development, pro-growth government set to get Britain building again. 

Of course, this means opportunities are on the horizon, not just for recruiting new construction workers, but for existing ones to upskill and take the next steps in their career.

The construction industry is expected to need more than 6,000 new site managers and supervisors by 2028. 

The industry now needs to view leadership and management training as essential – rather than just a ‘nice to have’ – and recognise that upskilling workers in strategic roles is crucial for navigating growth and ensuring long-term sustainability.

With a renewed government focus on homebuilding and infrastructure delivery, robust training programmes focusing on leadership and management present a major opportunity for sector resilience.

Leadership and management training plays a crucial role on every construction site. The training not only fosters a safer working environment, but can also improve employee retention and succession planning, as a strong leadership presence leaves employees feeling more satisfied and appreciated within their roles. 

Having well-trained, skilled leaders helps to develop a positive, inclusive and flexible culture within a business, supporting longer-term attraction and retention in the industry.

When employers invest in leadership and management training, they often see happier staff who stay with the business longer, along with boosts in productivity and engagement. 

Employees who take part in these programmes not only experience personal growth but also find that their new skills help drive the company’s success. 

It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

That’s why, along with the short courses and funding available to employers for in-house leadership and management training, CITB has invested £10.5 million to offer fully-funded construction-specific leadership and management training courses and qualifications across the UK. 

Participants can complete the courses in person or online and will achieve a recognised, transferable qualification.

The commission provides support for construction employers and their employees, making the training courses more accessible for smaller companies. The qualification would normally cost employees up to £2,000, but CITB’s support reduces this to £154 for the registration fee.

Most importantly, the training does not have to be undertaken by someone already in a management position. The courses can be used as personal development for someone not quite ready to move into a supervisor role but is interested in this as part of their long-term career ambitions.

Our latest Construction Skills Network (CSN) report found there will be an estimated need for more than 250,000 additional construction workers by 2028 to meet growing demand. Fuelled by a 2% growth in 2023 – the third consecutive year of increase – the sector is projected to continue expanding at an average rate of 2.4% annually.

It’s vital the construction industry has a firm grasp of what skills are required and where they’re needed across the country to reach the government’s homebuilding targets while meeting industry need. 

There is an increasing demand for construction work in the UK, and construction employers are clearly aware of the opportunity and the need for training – with 80% of employers indicating they plan to increase their training efforts in the future. 

However, in order to most effectively increase training efforts, construction employers need a robust understanding of the skills needed at both a national and local level. This will help employers to pre-empt need amongst their team and keep their fingers on the pulse when it comes to understanding skills requirements.

One way to do this is by encouraging greater collaboration with employers and removing barriers to engagement with training, such as with Employer Networks. The initiative offers training and financial support for local employers and is a vital tool for CITB to provide support and understand local skills need.

To sustain the construction industry’s projected growth, investing in leadership and management upskilling is essential. 

As the demand for skilled workers and site managers intensifies, CITB’s investment in accessible, people-centric training supports both current and aspiring leaders. 

With expanded training initiatives, including local Employer Networks, the industry is better positioned to meet workforce demands, enhance site safety, and ensure long-term resilience.

Deb Madden is executive director of nations engagement at CITB.