As part of the government’s plans to get Britain building again, the National House Building Council (NHBC) launched of the first 12 new multi-skills training hubs, backed by a £100 million investment.

The new national network of NHBC multi-skills training hubs will aim to address the housebuilding industry’s growing skills shortage by producing an additional 3,000 skilled and site-ready tradespeople faster each year.

NHBC says it is committed to closing the skills gap in the housebuilding industry with the launch of its new training hubs. The facilities will initially provide training in areas of critical demand for housebuilding, including bricklaying, groundwork and site carpentry. They are designed to stay flexible, however, ready to adapt to local housing needs and changes in regulations, NHBC says.

Roger Morton, Director of Change and Training Hubs at NHBC, said: “We’re not just training apprentices, we’re shaping the future of UK house building. With 25 years as an officer in the Royal Engineers, I’m driven by navigating challenges and improving quality. NHBC’s multi-skills hubs will shake up house-building training, tackling the skills shortage head-on and making a real difference to the future of the industry. Our multi-skills hubs will have a significant impact, producing skilled tradespeople faster and who are ready to hit the ground running from day one. Our mission is to make sure  every apprentice meets NHBC’s high standards, guaranteeing quality and delivering the homes the UK urgently needs, when and where they’re needed.

“With competitive salaries for qualified tradespeople, NHBC’s Multi-Skills Training Hubs offer a faster, diverse and rewarding pathway into the house-building industry. Thanks to funding support through the Apprenticeship Levy and generous grants, there’s never been a better time for builders and contractors to invest in taking on apprentices and for people to start a rewarding career in this essential industry.”

NHBC says its multi-skills hubs stand apart by immersing apprentices in real-site conditions from day one, fully preparing them for life on site. While traditional training routes can take up to 30 months, NHBC says its fast-track approach enables apprentices to complete their training in just 14 to 18 months – nearly twice as fast as other more traditional programmes – with many graduates achieving distinctions.

Alice Clay, 19, from Patrington, Hull and a brickwork apprentice trained by NHBC, praised the initiative: “The NHBC multi-skills training hubs are going to make a real difference! It’s really appealing to apprentices and builders because these hubs will be training skilled tradespeople faster than ever, giving a huge boost to getting more quality homes built across the UK.

“I was the first woman to pass my NHBC bricklaying apprenticeship and I achieved a distinction! I knew I wanted a practical job and within weeks of joining the NHBC training programme, I felt confident and capable on site. There’s a lot to learn, but training at an NHBC hub meant I was working in real-site conditions from day one. I’d learn at the hub and then regularly put my new skills and knowledge into practice out on site. The training NHBC offers is of a gold standard. It’s well-respected, hands-on and fast-paced. It’s exactly what the industry needs.”

With funding support from the Apprenticeship Levy and other grants, NHBC’s apprenticeships are an attractive option for builders and contractors of all sizes looking to develop and grow a skilled workforce, and individuals considering a rewarding career path in house building.

Tegan Pryor, 22 from Shefford in Bedfordshire and an apprentice at the NHBC Training Hub in Cambridge said she struggled to find a bricklaying apprenticeship: “We need more houses, but we also need more small and medium-sized builders to take on apprentices. I was really surprised by how difficult it was to secure an apprenticeship, as there simply weren’t enough opportunities in the house-building industry and competition was fierce for the few available spots. Eventually, I secured an apprenticeship with Redrow and with NHBC’s training, I’ll qualify in just 15 months. Soon I’ll be out on site earning a great wage and knowing exactly what to expect as I’ve been trained in real site conditions  by NHBC’s expert trainers.

“I know the new multi-skills training hubs will make a big difference in local communities. I’d encourage builders and contractors to invest in the future by taking on apprentices like me. Together, we can grow a skilled workforce that will help close the industry’s skills gap and deliver the quality homes we need.”

NHBC is currently evaluating prospective locations for its new multi-skills training hubs across the UK, with plans for its first hub to launch in early 2025 and 11 more to follow at pace. For more information, visit Apprenticeships | NHBC.