The Construction Skills Mission Board (CSMB) has published its Spring 2026 update, outlining progress towards its goal of supporting the 100,000 new construction workers per year needed by 2029 to deliver the UK’s housing, infrastructure and net‑zero ambitions. Launched in 2025, the Board brings industry and Government together and is backed by a £625 million Construction Skills Package.
Delivery of funding is already underway, including £100 million for Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, £100 million for construction Skills Bootcamps (expected to support around 60,000 new entrants by 2029), increased support for Foundation Apprenticeships, and £165 million to expand college‑based training through funded course programmes.
The update highlights a mixed workforce picture, with direct employment dipping slightly towards the end of 2025 while total construction jobs increased, reinforcing the urgency of coordinated skills action. Priority workstreams include improved skills intelligence, industry placements, pathways for NEETs, faster Level 4 entry routes, local coordination pilots, stronger engagement with major infrastructure clients, and enhanced apprenticeship support. Sector Skills Plans for Homebuilding, Infrastructure, and Engineering & Building Services are now live, with more in development.
What this means for industry: funding is flowing and programmes are live – but employer engagement is critical to turning ambition into skilled people on site.
Get Involved
FIS CEO, Iain McIlwee is working closely with the CSMB attending weekly meetings of the CSMB Advisory Group, helping to ensure that the work is grounded in reality for particularly relevant specialists and feeding in views of the FIS Membership, including the FIS Skills Board.
Members are encouraged to:
- Review the Spring Update from the Construction Skills Mission Board
- Share their views on how their local skills delivery can improve with Iain by phone (0121 707 0077) or Email
- See how FIS can support your skills ambitions via the FIS Skills Hub
- Get involved in the FIS Skills Board
Just let me know.