Labour’s announcement of a £96 million investment to create tens of thousands of construction industry placements across the country, helping train the next generation of skilled workers and supporting the Government’s ambition to build more homes, has been welcomed by Chesterfield MP, Toby Perkins.
The funding will provide learners on construction courses with valuable hands-on experience on building sites, helping tackle long-standing skills shortages across the sector and opening up new opportunities for young people.
Toby Perkins said, “A housebuilding revolution requires a skills revolution. For too long, employers have struggled to recruit the skilled workers they need while too many young people have been denied the opportunities they deserve.
Skills will power this Government’s Plan for Change. That’s why I welcome Labour’s investment in construction placements and the wider reforms to vocational education that will put practical skills on an equal footing with academic achievement.
I have spoken to numerous local businesses, and they all tell me we need more skilled workers. Whether it’s bricklayers, plumbers, electricians or carpenters, these are rewarding careers that are vital to our economy and our communities.
After years of decline in apprenticeship opportunities under the Conservatives, Labour is backing homegrown talent, investing in skills, and creating clear pathways into good-quality jobs. By helping more young people gain real-world experience and the qualifications employers need, we’re building the workforce that will deliver the homes, infrastructure and economic growth our country needs.
Chesterfield Borough Council are investing in skills locally through the Construction Skills Hub in Staveley. Both nationally and locally, Labour are ensuring we have the skilled workforce we need.”
The announcement forms part of Labour’s wider reforms to post-16 education, including the introduction of new vocational qualifications and additional flexibility for businesses offering industry placements, helping ensure more young people can access high-quality training and rewarding careers.
