A modest rise in construction apprenticeships signals potential for skilled heritage work across London and nearby counties.
Recent analysis reveals a 1.5% increase in new construction apprenticeships for 2024-25, marking the first growth since the pandemic peak. While this is a positive development for the construction sector, particularly in heritage restoration and listed building projects across London, Greater London, Surrey, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, the industry still faces significant challenges in meeting the skills demand required for these specialised works.
In practical terms, the shortage of apprentices, especially among traditional recruitment groups such as 16 to 18-year-olds, impacts the availability of skilled tradespeople essential for the sensitive restoration and maintenance of listed buildings. The growth in apprentices from underrepresented groups, including women and ethnic minorities, is encouraging and signals a gradual diversification of the workforce, which can bring fresh perspectives and resilience to heritage projects.
However, the uneven regional distribution of apprenticeships—with London still lagging despite a slight increase—highlights ongoing recruitment challenges in the capital and surrounding counties. Small and medium-sized enterprises, often heavily involved in heritage construction, continue to face barriers in taking on apprentices due to cost and administrative burdens. This affects the capacity to nurture new talent necessary for the nuanced demands of heritage conservation.
Atico Solutions recognises that effective construction management must address these structural issues by fostering strong partnerships with SMEs, promoting apprenticeship pathways early on, and integrating green skills aligned with national retrofit and sustainability goals. Such focus ensures that heritage projects not only preserve architectural legacy but also adapt to evolving environmental standards, securing the future of listed buildings across the region.
Source: Planning, Building & Construction Today
Led by Trevor Read and Dillan Gandhi, Atico Solutions is a high-end construction management and procurement company. Learn more here.