Construction Skills Are Becoming More Local: What It Means for Training

The way construction workers travel for work is changing, and it could have a significant impact on how the industry approaches skills and training.

New research from the CITB suggests construction workers are becoming less willing to travel long distances for employment, with family and lifestyle considerations increasingly influencing where people are prepared to work.

According to CITB, 34% of construction workers had worked no more than 20 miles from home during the previous 12 months. Just 28% had worked more than 50 miles away, compared with 32% in 2022.

CITB says the findings highlight the growing importance of more local, or “place-based”, skills strategies.

Why does a more local workforce matter?

Construction has traditionally relied heavily on workforce mobility.

When major projects create demand in one area, workers have often travelled or temporarily relocated to fill the skills gaps.

But if fewer workers are willing to travel significant distances, this could become a less reliable solution.

Skills shortages may increasingly differ from one part of the country to another, with employers needing access to workers with the right skills much closer to where projects are actually taking place.

CITB says this means greater emphasis will be needed on developing local talent pipelines and making sure skills provision reflects the needs of individual regions.

Training provision will need to reflect local demand

A more localised workforce also makes access to training increasingly important.

The courses employers need in one region may be very different from those required elsewhere, depending on local projects, sectors and workforce shortages.

It also means location can become an important factor when employers are deciding where to send workers for training.

Travelling long distances for a course can mean additional time away from work, travel costs and, in some cases, accommodation.

Having access to suitable training within a sensible travelling distance can therefore make workforce development easier for both employers and learners.

Connecting employers with local training

CITB says stronger links between employers, colleges and training providers will be an important part of developing local skills.

It also highlights the need for better labour market information so areas can identify upcoming skills shortages before they become more serious.

For training providers, this means understanding what employers in their region actually need and making suitable courses available at the right time.

For employers, it means being able to find training that fits both the skills requirement and the location of their workforce.

Platforms such as Essential Training Hub can help by bringing training courses and providers from different locations together in one place, allowing employers and individuals to search for suitable options based on course, date, location and delivery method.

Building skills where they are needed

The construction industry will always need a degree of workforce mobility, particularly for major infrastructure and specialist projects.

However, CITB's research suggests developing skills locally could become increasingly important as working patterns change.

A stronger local training network could help employers develop existing workers, bring new people into construction and build a pipeline of skills that reflects future projects in their area.

For an industry already facing significant workforce challenges, making sure people can access the right training in the right places could become an increasingly important part of the solution.