Asked by: Lord Best (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to invest in professional and technical built environment skills, specifically (1) surveying, (2) architecture, (3) construction management, and (4) planning, beyond the 2025 announcement of £625 million for trade construction skills.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The £625 million Construction Skills Package investment is expected to deliver up to 60,000 additional skilled construction workers, supporting a sustainable talent pipeline across the sector. This includes increased teaching provision, improved teaching quality through ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges (C‑TECs), teacher industry exchange programmes, and expanded on-site experience for learners. A new foundation apprenticeship will provide a clear entry route into the sector, alongside existing apprenticeships, and supported by close collaboration with industry and targeted incentives for employers.
Alongside these entry and intermediate routes, professional and technical built environment skills are primarily supported through the wider higher and technical education system. Higher and degree apprenticeships at Levels 4–6 play a key role supporting progression into key occupations such as Construction Site Supervisor (Level 4), Town Planning Assistant (Level 4), Chartered Surveyor (Level 6), Construction Site Manager (Level 6), and Architectural Assistant (Level 6).
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) further strengthen this pathway, sitting between A levels and degrees. Developed in collaboration with employers, HTQs are designed to align with industry needs and provide clear, high-quality classroom-based routes into skilled roles in the built environment sector. These includes qualifications such as Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) in Architectural Technology and Foundation Degrees in Construction Management.