The latest Building Your Future event, hosted by Northern Counties Builders Federation (NCBF) in collaboration with Darlington College, brought together students and key employers from the region’s construction sector.
The event took place just prior to the Government announcing a £600 million package to train 60,000 more engineers, bricklayers, electricians and joiners by 2029, to tackle skills shortages and inspire the next generation into the construction sector.
It will fund additional placements, establishing Technical Excellence Colleges, launching new foundation apprenticeships, and expanding Skills Bootcamps and will also encourage experienced builders to help train and inspire the next generation.
The event at Darlington College, gave final-year multi-skilled trades students the chance to engage directly with employers, gain industry insights and secure valuable career connections. Employers were able to meet the next generation of skilled tradespeople, including those specialising in bricklaying, plumbing, electrical and carpentry.
The aim of the initiative is to bridge the growing skills gap and ensure the longevity of the North East’s construction industry, which is widely acknowledged as requiring 10,000 new recruits by 2030 to meet the region’s housing and infrastructure needs.
Previous events have been held at Hartlepool and Sunderland Colleges.
Businesses attending included Hodgson Sayers, True North Construction, Willmott Dixon, Compass Developments, Carney Consultancy, Wharton Construction, Vest Construction, MGL Group, Ruck Engineering, J & R M Richardson Construction, Compass Developments, Darlington Borough Council, NY Highways, Atkinson Joiners and the CITB.
There were presentations from NCBF and Darlington College, as well as a tour of the college’s state-of-the-art facilities and networking.
NCBF is a long-established membership association bringing together construction companies and contractors operating in the North East of England. It is proactive in raising the profile of members, supporting training and apprenticeships and helping to future-proof the North East construction industry.
The attendance of Teesside-based politician, Andy Preston, who is a strong advocate for boosting career opportunities in construction, highlighted the importance of initiatives like Building Your Future and the collaborative efforts needed to tackle the construction skills shortage in the North East.
Andy Preston, said: “Apprenticeships in construction are the very biggest opportunity for young men and women right now. They can build an exciting career and earn fantastic money – what’s not to like?
“As a country we need to slim down the numbers attending university and encourage people onto apprenticeships and learning at places like Darlington College.”
The Building Your Future initiative, launched in 2023, is a direct response to the skills gap in construction, with over 250,000 new workers required nationally. Bringing together employers and students, it aims to help future-proof the region’s construction industry.
Angela Carney, president of NCBF, said: “The campaign plays a crucial role in addressing the skills gap in the North East’s construction industry. The high turnout of businesses reflects the growing interest in attracting skilled workers. The enthusiasm from both employers and students highlights the career opportunities in construction, which offers long-term growth and stability.
“The events also show the value of partnerships between industry and educational institutions. It’s not just about recruiting workers, but ensuring the workforce of tomorrow is equipped to meet the challenges of the future.”
Luke Gate, curriculum manager for construction, said: “The event was a huge success, down to the time given by employers to attend and the support from NCBF. We are delighted that our learners were able to showcase their talent within their respective trades. Some great conversations were had about apprenticeship opportunities and this has inspired our students to keep working hard to become the construction workforce of the future.”