Why training facilities are vital for the construction industry
The UK’s construction sector is currently facing some big challenges. According to research by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), over 250,000 additional construction workers will be needed by 2029 to meet the average 2.4 per cent a year growth that is expected in the UK from now until 2028.
However, a skills gap has quickly developed in the industry. For instance, a Strategic Resourcing whitepaper reported on by Planning, Building & Construction Today found that workers aged 55-plus outnumber those under 25 by 20 per cent at main contractor firms.
One encouraging aspect though is that Protrade’s State of Construction Apprenticeship Report (2026) revealed that there has been a 1.5 per cent increase in new construction apprentices during the 2024-2025 period.
Kate Burns, Head of Talent and Learning at modular building experts Portakabin®, comments: “It is important that this skills gap continues to be addressed as a priority. As well as investing in future talent we need to ensure people are upskilled and reskilled, unlocking agility and innovation in the workforce to meet future needs.”
For employers looking to build skills at pace and at scale, access to dedicated, high-quality training space is becoming essential.
Why training should never be an afterthought in the construction industry
Roles in the construction industry require people to have specialised skills, knowledge and abilities. All these elements can be studied and then built on through training and development programmes.
Employers and employees alike will benefit from construction training for the following reasons:
- A culture of continuous improvement and learning can be instilled around a workplace, motivating and encouraging staff members to find ways to improve their own abilities.
- Training programmes can be designed to upskill staff members in a gap that has been identified at a company or the entire construction industry.
- Productivity can be improved throughout a workplace, as staff members will better understand how to apply best practices to situations they encounter during their jobs.
- Information about the latest technologies, tools and industry trends can be passed on to all colleagues through a company-wide training session.
- Safety can be enhanced around a business, as training helps to reinforce the importance of safety standards and how employees can protect themselves from potential hazards tied to their roles.
The government has aimed to support productivity and fuel innovation by transitioning the apprenticeship levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy.
Introduced in April 2026, the Growth and Skills Levy is a more flexible skills system that is responsive to employers and aims to help people learn high-quality skills that are relevant to their roles.
Kate advises: “Employers who are about to introduce any type of learning into their business should make sure programmes are always designed to match the needs of their industry. Every programme needs to have clearly defined outcomes to ensure success, which will support in addressing the sector’s skills gap.”
The benefits of providing on-site construction training
Another recommendation for business owners in the construction sector is to provide on-site training wherever possible, which can be customised to suit an employer’s needs.
Learning in an actual working environment means that employees can be faced with real-life scenarios which they may have to adapt to during their day-to-day jobs. The blend of theory and practice encountered during these situations will improve how prepared staff members are in their roles.
On-site training in the construction industry can include techniques to improve someone’s workmanship, how to operate complex heavy machinery, and ways to follow a site’s safety protocols. It can also be used to swiftly address feedback or correct mistakes as these are identified among staff members.
Those running a construction firm who are looking to install purpose-built training centres can do so quickly and effectively by investing in modular training rooms.
“Modular training room buildings are cost-effective solutions which will showcase that your construction firm is committed to your employees’ development, without needing to take teams off-site,” Kate explains.
“With a Portakabin modular training room, you can receive a fully equipped suite of any required size that can easily link into offices, welfare facilities and other buildings around your construction company.
“Don’t forget that modular buildings can be relocated with ease as well. So, you can move your training facilities to another part of your site or even to another of your locations as training requirements at your company change.”
In an industry which urgently needs to address its skills gap, construction companies should be looking at implementing dedicated on-site training facilities. These sites can encourage an environment of continuous improvement, upskilling employees in a fast and effective way that will also make a firm more appealing to jobseekers.
Kate Burns
www.portakabin.com
Kate Burns is Head of Talent and Learning at Portakabin. With almost 60 years’ experience, 2000 modular building experts operating in ten countries, and three dedicated manufacturing facilities across Europe, Portakabin exists to provide precision engineered buildings with minimal impact.