It has been heavily documented that the average age of construction and manufacturing workers has been steadily rising, not just here in the UK but across Europe as well. As veteran workers are nearing retirement, employers are beginning to face questions about the future of manufacturing projects, economic growth and workforce sustainability if those positions aren’t filled in a timely manner.
Although often seen as a challenge, an ageing manufacturing workforce also represents an opportunity to reimagine how experience, technology, and inclusive practices can redefine the sector’s future.
Recognising and addressing this demographic shift is vital to building a resilient and skilled workforce for decades ahead.
The plan to build 1.5m homes – can it be delivered?
With the Government’s plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2029, focus turns to the skilled workforce that will be required to deliver the target of 300,000 new homes a year. According to the Homes Builders Federation (HBF), the trade body for house building in England and Wales, the sector will need around 30,000 new recruits across 12 trades.
Those trades include Labourers, Carpenters, Joiners, Electricians, Groundworkers, Engineers, Plumbers and more.
And now with the added pressure of an ageing workforce, training and apprenticeships should prove to be most valuable to deliver on the housing target.
The crucial role of an apprentice
We believe apprenticeships are a powerful way to develop talent and strengthen our future workforce. That’s why Portakabin is committed to providing high-quality experiences and real growth opportunities for young people.
Our apprenticeships range from the required skills for modular building construction including plumbing, joinery, painting and electrical work, to product design and development engineering. Other opportunities include construction and development, quantity surveying, business administration, and commercial and project management.
Dan Ibbetson, CEO at Portakabin says, “At Portakabin, we’re proud to have offered 98% of apprentices who train with us a full-time role within the business once they have completed their qualification.”
“The qualifications our apprentices achieve at the end of their training are hard-won and ensure an excellent talent pipeline for us, with prospects for further skills training and development. It’s one of the reasons why we’re delighted to be able to offer so many full-time roles. For us, it’s a win-win.”
A positive outlook on the future of manufacturing
In an era defined by complexity and change, the UK manufacturing sector finds itself at a pivotal moment. With the government announcing in late 2024 that £140m of funding will be available to create 5,000 more construction related apprenticeships per year to fast-track training, it’s positive to see that the next generation of skilled workers will be able to begin their careers in manufacturing and construction, at a time when they’re in the highest demand.
“Thanks to our growing apprenticeship opportunities, we’re helping to support the Yorkshire area and British-based manufacturing” says Simon Pollard, Manufacturing Director at Portakabin.
“Investing in apprenticeships not only addresses the current skills shortages but also builds on a workforce that truly understands our processes, culture, and commitment to quality.”
An exciting opportunity
So, whilst the manufacturing industry grapples with an ageing workforce, the urgency to invest in the next generation of skilled workers has never been greater. Apprenticeships offer a critical pathway to bridging that skills gap, ensuring that valuable trade knowledge is passed on, whilst equipping new talent with the tools to thrive in a modern construction environment.
Meeting the ambitious 1.5m housing goals the government has set out, our industry must act swiftly and collaboratively to attract, train and retain that sought after talent. It’s not only dependent on materials and machinery, but on a skilled workforce ready to build the future.
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