WEST MIDLANDS CONSTRUCTION TRADESPEOPLE NEEDED TO TRAIN NEXT GENERATION AS FURTHER EDUCATION TEACHING VACANCIES REACH HIGHEST REGIONAL RATE

• New analysis shows the West Midlands has the highest further education (FE) construction teaching vacancy rate, with 11 unfilled roles per 100 teaching posts
• The region needs approximately 3,810 extra construction workers a year, with construction output forecast to grow by an average of 1.7% a year between 2026 and 2030
• Experienced construction professionals are being encouraged to give their skills new life by training others in further education

New findings, shared by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of the Local Builders, Local Futures analysis, shows vacancy levels for construction training roles within colleges in the West Midlands are substantially above the England average despite continued growth in the sector.

The data underscores the scale of the region’s FE teaching recruitment challenge and wider construction skills shortages – highlighting the urgent need for more skilled professionals to train others in colleges.

The analysis, delivered through the Train Others in Further Education campaign, shows that the West Midlands has 11 unfilled vacancies for every 100 further education teaching roles in Construction, Planning and the Built Environment. This is the highest regional rate in England and considerably above the regional average of 7.2 per 100. The analysis brings together further education workforce data, Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) forecasts and Office for National Statistics workforce data to highlight where experienced construction professionals could help strengthen local skills pipelines.

At the same time, the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Construction Workforce Outlook forecasts that construction output in the West Midlands will grow by an average of 1.7% a year between 2026 and 2030, with approximately 3,810 additional workers needed each year to meet demand.

Taken together, the findings show why experienced construction professionals in the West Midlands have an important role to play. By helping colleges build training capacity now, they can support the skilled workforce needed to deliver new homes, infrastructure and wider regional growth in the years ahead.

The campaign supports the government’s pledge to secure England’s construction future by training up to 60,000 more construction workers by 2029 and helping to deliver 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament. By encouraging experienced builders, tradespeople and construction professionals to train learners in further education, the campaign aims to strengthen the skills pipeline that underpins housebuilding, infrastructure delivery, good jobs and economic growth.

Through training qualifications such as T Levels, colleges are looking to recruit professionals from across construction and the built environment, including bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, plasterers, site managers, quantity surveyors and people with civil or structural engineering experience.

For these roles, previous industry experience is highly valued. Many people do not need to have worked in teaching before applying, as colleges can often support successful candidates to gain a teaching qualification while working, meaning they can start passing on their skills straight away.

Tim Balcon, CEO at CITB, the Industry Training Board for the construction industry and a partner in ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council, said:

“The West Midlands needs skilled construction workers to support its future growth, but it also needs experienced people who can train them.

“Thousands of people across the region have spent their careers supporting others  and solving practical problems. That experience is exactly what further education colleges value.

“Training others does not mean starting again. It is a chance to pass on the standards and knowledge that matter to industry, and help build a future ready, skilled workforce in the West Midlands.”

Former construction professionals now training the next generation in FE shared their experiences:

John Betts, a former bricklayer, site manager and construction business owner who now trains others at Heart of Worcestershire College, said:

“After spending 35 years in construction as a bricklayer, site foreman, site manager and business owner, I reached a point where I wanted a new challenge. Training others in further education was something I’d always been interested in because it gave me the opportunity to pass on the skills and experience I’d built up over my career to future tradespeople.

One of the things I enjoy most is being able to bring real-world knowledge into the workshop and help learners understand the challenges they’ll face on site that you can’t always learn from a textbook. My industry experience is invaluable in helping learners develop the practical skills and problem-solving ability they’ll need when they move into the workplace.

The most rewarding part of the role is seeing the progress learners make. I had one learner who was struggling outside of college and was close to being removed from the course. After working closely with him and his family, he completely turned things around and went on to win Student of the Year. Moments like that remind you why the role matters. Knowing you’re helping learners build confidence, develop skills and take their first steps towards a career in construction is incredibly rewarding.”

Lewis Allen, a former plumber and heating engineer who now trains others at Heart of Worcestershire College, said:

“I’ve worked in plumbing and heating since leaving school and spent more than 30 years in the trade, including running my own business. After all that time, I was ready for a change, but I still wanted to use the experience I’d built up over the years. I’d trained apprentices in previous roles, so moving into further education seemed like a good fit.

Lewis Allen

At first I definitely had a bit of imposter syndrome and wondered whether I’d made the right move, but that soon passed when I saw how much value my industry experience could bring to learners. Being able to draw on real-life situations from the trade and help learners understand how things work in practice has been one of the most rewarding parts of the role.

I also enjoy being able to draw on real experiences from industry and show learners what the job is actually like. Knowing that I’m helping people take their first steps into construction and passing on the skills I’ve picked up over the years gives me a real sense of purpose. I’d encourage anyone who has built a career in the industry to consider training others in FE. You might be surprised by just how much you have to offer.”

Daren Clements, a former electrical installer and maintenance electrician who now trains others at Heart of Worcestershire College, said:

“After many years working as an electrical installer and maintenance electrician, I reached a stage in my career where I wanted a new challenge and the opportunity to give something back. I enjoyed working with apprentices in industry and wanted to pass on the skills and experience I’d built up over the years to the next generation of electrical installers. Moving into further education has given me the chance to do exactly that.

Daren Clements

One of the things I enjoy most is helping learners understand that success in construction isn’t just about technical ability. It’s also about communication, problem-solving and building trust with people. Throughout my career I’ve seen how those skills can make all the difference, and being able to share those real-world experiences with learners helps bring the industry to life.

If you’ve built up experience in industry and are considering a change, I’d definitely encourage you to look at training others in FE. Your knowledge and experience can have a real impact on learners, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the next generation develop the skills and confidence they’ll need to succeed.”

The West Midlands already has an experienced construction workforce of approximately 264,760, according to March 2026 workforce data. The campaign is encouraging people within that workforce to consider how the skills and knowledge built over their careers could be passed on through further education.

Give your skills new life. Start training others in further education.

Find out more through the Teach in Further Education website.