Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Department is taking to help improve employer-led training and workplace experience within further and higher education, particularly in construction; and what assessment he has made of how local initiatives such as the Warrington and Vale Royal College Construction and Civil Engineering Academy fit within the national approach to tackling construction skills shortages.

On 23 March 2025, the Chancellor announced a £625 million Construction Skills Package (CSP) to address critical skills shortages across the construction sector. The investment is expected to support up to 60,000 skilled workers over this Parliament by increasing training capacity, strengthening the workforce pipeline, and encouraging greater employer investment in skills development.

This funding will expand training routes into construction, including new Foundation Apprenticeships for up to 10,000 young people and 35,000 additional Skills Bootcamp places for new entrants, returners and existing workers.

Investment will raise the quality and capacity of training, through 10 new Construction Technical Excellence Colleges, up to 40,000 industry placements for all Level 2 and 3 construction learners, the FE Teacher Industry Exchange Scheme—which will bring industry experts into FE teaching and upskill existing teachers—and additional funding for new construction courses, capital investment in colleges, and expanded provision for both 16–19 year olds and adults.

Delivery of the CSP is supported by an industry led, government sponsored Construction Skills Mission Board, aligning government and industry action to ensure the sector has the skilled workforce needed to meet future demand.

Warrington & Vale Royal College is already helping to deliver these priorities through its Construction & Civil Engineering Academy. It delivers skills from entry-level to higher education and apprenticeships, supports employer aligned curriculum priorities, and has improved teacher recruitment and retention. Initiatives such as the Green Skills Hub and “Get into Construction” Skills Bootcamps expand access, support underrepresented groups, and provide practical, employer focused training - mirroring CSP priorities on workforce growth, industry collaboration, and work ready skills.