Report: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2026

New analysis by Protrade reveals a 1.5% increase in new construction apprentices for 2024/25, representing the first year of growth since the 2021/22 peak.  

Following back to back years of declines in new entrants to the sector, including a 5.9% decrease in 2022/23 and 1.2% drop in 2023/24, this reversal in trend represents a positive story for the construction industry. 

However, despite this growth, it may still fall short of the UK government’s ambitious house-building and renovation programmes. The Construction Industry Trading Board forecasted last year that an additional 240,000 construction workers would be required by 2030 to keep pace with construction targets. Against this backdrop, the latest growth in 2024/25 (24,590 new apprentices) represent just over half (51%) of the roughly 48,000 new recruits the sector actually needs to hit each year. 

As a result, the construction sector has work to do in order to significantly expand the uptake of construction apprenticeships.  

Key findings from the Protrade Construction Apprenticeship report: 

• 2024/25 represents the first year of growth in construction apprenticeships since 2021/22, with 24,590 new apprentices, an increase of 1.5% on the year prior 

• Record year for females beginning a construction apprenticeship, with a 9% increase and 2,630 female new entrants - women now account for 1 in 10 construction apprentices 

• 2,270 new apprentices from ethnic minority backgrounds, representing an 18% increase on 2023/24 levels 

• East Midlands is the fastest growing region for new construction apprentices (8% growth), whilst North West leads overall with most apprentices (4,240) 

• London ranks the lowest for new construction apprentices (1,980) despite 3% increase 

UK construction apprenticeship uptake increases by 1.5%, reversing two-year decline 

Despite signs of stabilisation, apprenticeship numbers are still significantly short of the levels required to meet long-term workforce demand, particularly in light of ongoing housing and infrastructure targets.  

The latest 2024/25 data shows a modest recovery in construction apprenticeship starts, with 24,590 new apprentices enrolling in 2024/25, a 1.5% increase on the previous year. While this marks a reversal of the year-on-year decline seen since the 2021/22 peak, overall intake remains 5.6% below post-pandemic highs. 

As a result, this uptick must be taken with a pinch of salt, as it falls far short of the 48,000 new construction workers required by the sector each year to tackle the employment gap that remains. 

Record year for new female construction apprentices after 8.7% increase in new starters 

Female participation in construction apprenticeships has continued to rise, with 2,630 women starting apprenticeships in 2024/25, an 9% increase on the previous year and the highest figure on record. 

Women now account for 10.7% of all new construction apprentices, up from 10.0% in 2023/24. This growth contrasts with relatively flat male recruitment, indicating that recent increases in total apprenticeship numbers are being driven largely by improved female participation rather than broader sector growth. 

18% rise in construction apprentices joining the sector from diverse backgrounds 

2024/25 also saw a record increase for new apprentices entering the construction sector from ethnic backgrounds, with 2,270 new starters, representing an 18% year-on-year rise. 

This brings the total number of apprentices from ethnic backgrounds to nearly double (+88%) 2018/19 levels, marking a renewed improvement in diversity intake following only a small increase in 2023/24.  

35 to 44-year-olds record strongest growth in construction apprenticeships at 9%, signalling a turnaround after last year’s stagnation  

Apprenticeship starts among younger age groups has shown limited growth, with 16-18 year old intake remaining broadly flat year-on-year. Notably, the number of 18-year-olds started to increase slightly in 2024/25, reversing declines seen in previous years. 

Those aged 19-24 remain the dominant entry group, accounting for over a third (35%) of new apprentices, and showing modest growth of 3% in 2024/25. Older age groups (35+) continue to represent a small but gradually growing share of new starters. 

The East Midlands is the fastest-growing region for new construction apprentices, with 8% growth. North West remains the largest region for apprentices overall 

The North West remains the UK’s leading region for construction apprenticeship starts, recording nearly 5% growth year-on-year. Strong growth was also seen in the East Midlands, which recorded the fastest percentage increase of any region, growing by 8%. 

In contrast, several southern regions - including the South East and East of England - experienced declines, highlighting an increasingly uneven regional recovery. While London remains the lowest-ranking region overall, its 2.6% growth in 2024/25 suggests early signs of stabilisation after several weak years. 

Three actions the UK construction sector must take to accelerate growth in apprenticeships to keep pace with national building targets 

With clear trends exposed within Protrade’s 2026 State of Construction Apprenticeship Report, a clear skills gap remains between the number of new apprentices and the required size of the UK construction workforce to meet national building targets.  

With this in mind, Des Duddy, Joint Managing Director at Protrade, outlines priority actions that the industry should take to expand construction apprenticeship uptake: 

1. Strengthen support for SMEs taking on construction apprentices 

Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the UK construction sector, yet many face significant barriers to recruiting apprentices due to administrative complexity, rising employment costs and limited capacity to manage training requirements. Simplifying apprenticeship processes, reducing paperwork and expanding financial incentives, particularly in the early stages of employment, would help make apprenticeships more viable for smaller firms.  

Without targeted support, apprenticeship growth risks becoming concentrated among larger employers, limiting the sector’s ability to scale its workforce in line with demand. 

1. Reverse declining apprenticeship uptake among 16 to 18 year olds 

Despite signs of stabilisation in overall apprenticeship numbers, participation among younger age groups continues to decline, with apprenticeship starts for 16 and 17 year olds falling year-on-year and only a modest recovery among 18 year olds in 2024/25.  

To reverse declines among 16 to 18 year olds, greater emphasis is needed on earlier careers engagement within schools, clearer and more visible pathways from education into construction apprenticeships, and closer collaboration between employers, training providers and careers services. This could include improved exposure to construction roles before GCSE and post-16 decision points, better signposting of apprenticeship options alongside academic routes, and stronger employer involvement in schools and colleges. 

1. Capitalise on interest in green careers to attract next generation of construction apprentices 

As the UK accelerates delivery of its Warm Homes Plan, demand for skills in retrofit, energy efficiency and low-carbon construction is set to increase significantly. At the same time, evidence suggests almost half of young people in the UK are aiming for green careers that help the planet.  

Positioning construction apprenticeships as a route into climate-positive, future-proof careers, including roles in insulation, heat pump installation and sustainable building methods, could help re-engage school leavers while directly supporting national housing and net-zero ambitions. 

Taken together, these recommendations highlight the need to make construction apprenticeships easier for SMEs to deliver, more visible and attractive to young people at an earlier stage, and clearly linked to the growing demand for green construction skills. Addressing all three will be critical to closing the skills gap and meeting national building targets.

Des Duddy

Joint Managing Director, Protrade

Des has over 30 years of experience at Protrade, having worked in the capacity of Sales Co-ordinator, Account Manager, and product development, culminating in being appointed Joint Managing Director in 2018.