CITB announces support for Infrastructure Sector Skills Plan
It will be the first cross-industry plan, developed in collaboration with the sector, to address specific needs for infrastructure construction skills
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today announced its support for the Infrastructure Sector Skills Plan, a new action plan designed to address specific needs for infrastructure construction skills, helping to tackle the UK’s infrastructure skills gap and support the delivery of major national projects.
Owned and shaped by the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and wider industry partners, and supported by CITB, this is the first cross-industry plan of its kind. It sets out a clear roadmap to attract new talent, upskill the existing workforce, and ensure the sector is equipped to meet future demand. The plan also aligns with and supports the delivery of the Construction Skills Missions Board’s objectives.
The plan addresses several key challenges, including attracting new entrants into the sector and improving the quality and availability of training. CITB is investing £2.8 million in the plan, which will support training for essential roles such as plant operatives, steelfixers, groundworkers, formworkers, and civil engineering operatives.
According to CITB’s latest Construction Workforce Outlook, the infrastructure sector is forecast to grow by 4.2% between 2025 and 2029, and it’s estimated the UK construction workforce needs an extra 1,470 civil engineers each year.
To meet this demand, the plan outlines a series of targeted interventions, created by the Infrastructure Sector Skills Advisory Group – a panel of industry experts who will guide the plan’s implementation. Some of the approved interventions so far include:
- Infrastructure pipeline and taxonomy research projects to help overcome differences in terminology, avoid duplication of effort and increase transferability of roles and skills
- Training alliances (hubs) across England and Wales, with the first being approved in Kent, will bring civil engineering employers and training providers together to identify skills needs and aggregate demand to shape local training provision
- Promoting the infrastructure sector to attract new entrants through Go Construct
- Developing and maintaining Competence Frameworks for key operative roles in civil engineering and infrastructure, in collaboration with employer bodies and industry experts to ensure relevance and accuracy.
The launch comes at a pivotal time and will help ensure that the Government can deliver on its mission for economic stability, new homes and clean energy. The Government has green-lit the largest number of major infrastructure projects in the first year of a Parliament in history, with 21 major infrastructure planning decisions made in the Government’s first year – including new wind farms, roads and airport expansions.
Mark Crosby, Head of Strategic Engagement at CITB said: “Working collaboratively with the many sectors within the construction industry is the only way to ensure that each sector’s skills needs are understood and addressed properly. That is what Sector Skills Plans are all about – they’re live programmes of activity developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders and employers. They will continuously evolve to meet the changing skills, training, and recruitment needs of each sector.
“Collaboration between CITB, employers, and other stakeholders is essential to developing sustainable solutions to support the industry and address the skills gap. To support the development of Sector Skills Plans, we have been providing investment, linking in existing services, and ensuring that employer voices shape the direction of support.”
Lorraine Gregory, Director of CECA Midlands, said: “The Infrastructure Sector Skills Plan represents a vital step forward in tackling the skills challenges our industry faces, and will help to ensure the right people are in the right places to deliver the substantial pipeline of work that exists in the years ahead.
“CECA believe industry, Government, and education providers must work together to ensure clear pathways are available for people to enter and progress in civil engineering.
“We have been delighted to work with CITB and infrastructure employers in formulating the Sector Skills Plan. It is only by investing in and providing opportunities to the workforce of tomorrow that the infrastructure sector can play its role as the backbone of the wider economy, and deliver the high-growth, sustainable economy we all want to see.”
In 2023, CITB launched its Homebuilding Sector Skills Plan to help meet the specific needs of the homebuilding industry, which has since been updated in line with the Government’s homebuilding commitments. It is also planning to launch its Repair, Maintenance and Improvement (RMI) Sector Skills Plan, and its Commercial, Public Non-Housing, Industrial and High-Rise Residential (CPIH) Sector Skills Plans.
Find out more about the Infrastructure Sector Skills Plan.
