A Familia Story For UK Construction | Episode 119 cover art

A Familia Story For UK Construction | Episode 119

A Familia Story For UK Construction | Episode 119

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Construction Disrupted Episode 119 - A Familia Story For UK Construction (10.06.26) in partnership with Adobe Acrobat Studio. Check them out and show them some love.In this episode, we're delving into the evolving landscape of the UK construction industry, examining market trends, workforce initiatives, and efforts to address skills shortages. Each headline provides insight into a major development that is set to shaping the sector’s future. Let's go:Is UK commercial construction experiencing a comeback?The UK construction sector continues to face significant challenges, with Glenigan’s June 2026 Construction Index showing a 7% drop in project starts over the last quarter and a 23% decline year-on-year. The industry is grappling with persistent economic uncertainty, political distractions, and the ongoing Middle East conflict, all of which have contributed to a subdued market. Residential construction remains particularly weak, with private housing starts falling sharply due to affordability issues and reduced investor confidence. Civil engineering and infrastructure projects have also seen notable declines, reflecting a lack of momentum in planned capital works.Despite these headwinds, there are signs of resilience in non-residential construction. Office projects have experienced remarkable growth, buoyed by major developments in London, while retail and leisure sectors have shown modest gains, hinting at a tentative return of consumer confidence. Public sector construction, especially in education and health, has also posted positive results.Regionally, London stands out with strong performance, largely driven by office construction, while other areas show mixed results. Although the overall outlook remains cautious, these pockets of growth suggest that a broader recovery could be on the horizon if economic conditions stabilise.Construction careers campaign could help tackle rising youth unemployment, says CIOBThe Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) emphasises the importance of targeted careers campaigns to address both rising youth unemployment and the construction sector’s skills shortages. With an aging workforce and a growing need for skilled professionals, the CIOB advocates for greater collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions.By promoting construction as a viable and rewarding career path, and by connecting young people with training and apprenticeship opportunities, such campaigns can help bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. These efforts are seen as essential not only for reducing youth unemployment but also for ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the construction industry.CITB launches Accelerated Apprenticeships to boost homebuilding and tackle regional skills shortagesThe Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has launched Accelerated Apprenticeships as part of a broader strategy to meet the government’s target of building 1.5 million new homes by 2029 and to address regional skills shortages.This innovative programme allows apprentices to complete their training in as little as 14 to 18 months, compared to the traditional two to three years, by combining intensive early learning with structured block release and on-site experience. The initial rollout targets regions with high housing demand and training gaps, including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, Kent, and Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire. CITB is supporting colleges and training providers with setup funding and ongoing assistance, aiming to increase apprenticeship uptake and completion rates.The programme also places a strong emphasis on long-term employment outcomes, ensuring that trainees are well-prepared for sustained careers in homebuilding. By accelerating the training process and aligning it with local labour market needs, CITB hopes to create a more resilient and responsive construction workforce.Lego gets Familia: https://www.dezeen.com/2026/06/04/lego-sagrada-familia-largest-set-antoni-gaudi/)BiosRyan Jones - SLG AgencyFor almost 20 years, Ryan’s focus has been on helping brands in the construction and manufacturing sectors tell their story.His career began in PR, working for global businesses across a variety of sectors, before opting to focus on construction and the built environment.In his role as Managing Director, Ryan works to ensure that SLG Agency continues to be one of the construction industry's leading specialist strategic and creative agencies, having seen its work recognised by the likes of Campaign, Marketing Week and The Drum in recent years.Ryan is regularly asked to speak at trade shows and events, and to contribute thought leadership pieces to trade media. He is also a member of several industry advisory boards, including Constructing Excellence and the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.His passion for the construction sector has seen him work with clients on CSR campaigns that tackle the sector’s ...
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