Dave Piper, managing director for construction firm Barnwood, considers the implications for skills and education as a result of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget last month.
The Chancellor’s Budget reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to boosting skills, technical education and the workforce of the future.
Announcements included fully-funded SME apprenticeships for those under 25, £625 million for construction skills, the creation of 10 new construction technical excellence colleges and additional funding for 16–19 learners.
Recent weeks have also brought a wave of change in education policy, with measures outlined in the Schools White Paper which included plans to replace BTECs with ‘V-levels’ and the establishment of Skills England.
It appears the Government has finally recognised the need to boost the UK’s ability to train, recruit and retain the skilled professionals needed for the workforce of the future.
Whilst it’s encouraging to see education back at the heart of the national conversation, policy alone isn’t enough. Real progress will depend on the industries that will turn these ideas into reality.
Chief among these is the construction industry. Too often our sector is seen as simply ‘bricks and mortar’, but as well as building the classrooms of the future, it is also a key destination to building rewarding careers.
It’s crucial to remember that not all careers in construction are based on-site, with roles such as quantity surveying, contracts management and finance equally as important in shaping the industry. At Barnwood, we’ve seen this breadth of opportunity reflected in the increased diversity within our workforce.
Done well, construction can be a driving force behind regional regeneration, community value and social mobility. Every new school, college or training facility has the potential to shape futures beyond the physical space, helping to unlock the higher-level skills, confidence and aspirations that will underpin Britain’s long-term growth.
The role of construction in education
Infrastructure and education have always been inter-connected, with investment in one driving outcomes in the other. The Government’s new focus on ‘higher-level skills’, moving away from the old 50 per cent university target towards a mix of skills-led pathways, is a shift many in our sector welcome.
We know that construction thrives when there is a clear route for people to learn and progress on the job.
The announcement of £100m to fund ten new technical excellence colleges specialising in construction is particularly positive. It is expected to train and upskill 40,000 learners by 2029 across bricklaying, carpentry, roofing, plumbing and electrics.
This, along with greater support for apprenticeships and the extra £800m being committed to 16-19-year-olds’ education in the coming year, is exactly the kind of ambition our industry needs to meet the demand for the homes and infrastructure the country requires.
The construction industry must lead the charge by balancing growth with sustainability and community value, creating environments that inspire learning and deliver long-term social impact.
Barnwood’s perspective: quality delivery, community and collaboration
At Barnwood, our purpose and principles have stayed the same for more than 60 years: to build well, responsibly and for the long term. We’ve always believed that good construction goes hand in hand with good education.
Projects we’re currently working on, such as Wood Green School in Witney and Valley Park School in Didcot, show what’s possible when we’re able to put that in place.
Both schemes are delivering high-quality learning environments that will sit at the heart of their local areas. These are places where students, teachers and the wider communities can grow together.
It’s not just about the buildings themselves. Every project we deliver is also a chance to create apprenticeships and local employment, providing lasting community benefit.
Our partnerships with charities, education providers, supply chain networks and local authorities are designed with that in mind.
In Oxfordshire, our work continues to reflect this approach. Through our collaboration with Abingdon & Witney College, for example, we’re supporting T-level students by offering talks, site visits, placements and real-world insight into construction careers, to inspire the next generation of construction professionals.
We’re also engaging with Enterprise Oxfordshire on a Community Employment Plan in Grove, to make sure local people can access new opportunities through development.
Beyond live sites, our team remains involved in initiatives like the ARCh Oxfordshire reading programme at Kingsgrove Primary, a school we built in 2020, helping children develop confidence and a love of learning.
For us, this is what responsible construction looks like in practice. We’re connecting our projects to the communities they serve for the long-term.
Building the future responsibly
Construction has always been a key driver of social and economic growth. But the next phase of our national journey demands that we go further by building responsibly and inclusively. That means creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds, encouraging more women into the industry and showing young people that a career in construction can be highly rewarding and respected.
Barnwood’s continued growth in Oxfordshire reflects this approach. We’ve strengthened our senior management team to support our values of innovation, quality and community benefit, ensuring that every project we deliver contributes to the wider social purpose we share.
We believe that construction has a vital role to support national ambition, building the environments and opportunities to help people and places grow.
Looking beyond the Budget
In the wake of the Budget, I hope we’ll see continued momentum and investment in technical education, modern training facilities, SEND education and the partnerships that connect learning with meaningful employment.
Success for education policy, in my opinion, will rely on support from industry partners, investment in skills and a shared commitment to social value.
If we get this right, the benefits will be felt for decades. Whether that’s in closer, more resilient communities, or a new generation of skilled workers ready to shape the years ahead. To me, that’s what building Britain’s future really means.
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