Two new high-quality apprenticeships, focusing on bricklaying and plastering, have received final sign off by the Government. The apprenticeships will launch in September and offer apprentices a wide range of knowledge and hand-skills over a longer duration to embed quality within the sector.

The new high-quality apprenticeships were developed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) and a range of employers, including many members of the HBF who were heavily involved in finalising the training standards to improve the quality of skills and volume of apprentices entering the home building sector.

Following Sir Oliver Letwin’s recent review of home building, in which he identified a shortage of skilled labor, in particular bricklayers as a major constraint on future housing supply, the new apprenticeships will play an important part in attracting and training more bricklayers into sector. Whilst housing supply has increased by a massive 74% in the past four years to over 220k homes a year, the Government is targeting 300k homes annually and so increased industry capacity is absolutely key. 

Jenny Herdman, Director of the Home Building Skills Partnership, said, “We welcome the introduction of these new apprenticeships in tackling the skills shortage our industry is currently facing. The Home Building Skills Partnership aims to attract and train new entrants to the home building sector as well as identify the future skills needed for both employees and employers to thrive. These new apprenticeships align closely to our work in providing the necessary skills and training the sector needs to build quality homes where and when we need them.”

The CITB will work with employers and colleges to promote the apprenticeships and ensure they are ready for delivery in September.

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