Updated action plan expands careers drive as construction workforce pressures persist
Revised Careers in Construction Action Plan increases actions by 80% with stronger focus on skills pathways, inclusion and promotion
28 January 2026 | đŸ“§Â editor@breakingground.news
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has published an updated Careers in Construction Action Plan, significantly expanding the scope of measures aimed at addressing skills shortages and improving access to careers across the construction and built environment sector.
The revised plan follows a review of progress made since the original plan was launched in 2023 and responds to updated research, changes in labour market conditions and alignment with the current Programme for Government. The updated action plan contains 36 actions, an increase of 80% on the original 20 actions, and introduces a more flexible framework intended to respond to emerging workforce challenges over its lifetime.
Actions are structured across three thematic areas: education and training, widening participation, and promotional activity. The plan reflects the expanded membership of the Careers in Construction Working Group and incorporates links to existing construction skills strategies and initiatives already underway across the sector.
Under education and training, the plan places a strong emphasis on developing clearer and more flexible skills pathways. Measures include the development of a national iVET construction taster course for Transition Year students, expansion of the Skillnet MMC Accelerate platform, and new education routes that allow skills gained onsite to transfer into offsite and modern methods of construction facilities. The plan also supports alternative delivery models, including online and app-based learning, to address accessibility and digital literacy barriers.
Widening participation remains a central pillar, with actions aimed at improving gender balance and broadening access to under-represented groups. Commitments include gender-inclusive recruitment policies, mentoring programmes for women, targeted outreach events, and new initiatives to identify opportunities for eligible international protection applicants. A pilot training programme for prisoners and those in step-down facilities is also included, alongside measures to explore labour supply through EU employment networks.
Promotional actions focus on strengthening the visibility and attractiveness of construction careers. These include national promotional campaigns, recruitment fairs, promotion of conversion programmes into construction-related professions, and increased visibility for offsite manufacturing and MMC roles, particularly among second-level students.
The department said the updated plan builds on measurable progress under the first action plan, including growth in the overall construction workforce, increased female participation, and rising apprenticeship registrations. While it does not attribute causality, the department notes that the action plan has contributed to improved engagement with construction careers across education, training and employment channels.
Implementation of the updated plan will be monitored through quarterly reporting to track delivery across all 36 actions over the coming years.
