Estates Gazette • 15 February 2025 • Alice Reid

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to reflect on how the built environment industry can enrich the sector’s talent pipeline through opening up pathways and supporting learning opportunities.

The UK faces a critical shortage of skilled construction workers, with the latest CITB data indicating a need for an additional 251,500 professionals by 2028. This equates to 50,300 new recruits per year, highlighting the urgent need for developers to invest in the future workforce.

We also recognise there are challenges in attracting diverse candidates into our industry and the lack of representation across the built environment is holding young people back. By providing a greater understanding of our industry and the different roles available at an earlier stage, including more information for parents, opportunities to network with successful role models and more exposure to workplaces, we can help encourage diversity in the sector.

By investing in apprenticeships and training programmes, as well as listening to young people’s views on how we can recruit and retain them, we can secure the long-term sustainability of our industry and create lasting social value.

The onus is on developers and asset managers to drive this agenda. Our role is to be an enabler, using our influence and the relationships we have, to weave positive social impact into all stages of a project from inception to completion and beyond. We have the power to bring together like-minded built environment professionals and create valuable career pathways for young people.

Community benefit is a cornerstone of successful development and local neighbourhoods undergoing development should benefit directly from the opportunities provided by the buildings being formed on their doorstep. Our sector has a responsibility to foster opportunities within the communities it’s shaping to empower local stakeholders and become stewards of place, ensuring a lasting impact beyond our involvement.

Not only is this the right thing to do, but it also makes strong business sense. In an AI-driven world, place-based and people-focused design is more crucial than ever to resonate with individuals. The spaces we collectively manage hold vast potential to provide long-lasting socioeconomic impact and improve quality of life for people – it only needs to be unlocked.

An important step in unlocking this potential is identifying and working closely with partners who share our values and a commitment to education and workforce development. Beyond our project teams, building strong links with local organisations is key to expanding access to training, opening up career pathways, upskilling our current workforce and addressing specific skills gaps and shortages.

At our Oxford North development, we collaborated with contractors, local education providers, schools and charities to establish a steering group. Among other benefits, this initiative has connected apprentices with relevant on-site vacancies, bridging gaps in the local talent pipeline through close collaboration and strategic focus on local employment.

Developers can also make active choices to connect with charities that create networks of learning opportunities. The Stanhope Foundation is dedicated to helping people find meaningful employment and funds charities that have employment specific programmes in place. Since 2021, we donated more than £1.2m to support activities which equip individuals with expertise and connect them to employers.

It’s more than just corporate social responsibility, it’s a significant investment of resources, but the return is invaluable. By working alongside organisations such as the Construction Youth Trust, St Mungo’s and Mayor’s Fund for London, we can enable initiatives that create change in the lives of young people, those affected by cancer, the homeless and individuals with learning disabilities while mobilising professionals.

During our first three years, the foundation has supported more than 2,400 people. Volunteers from a range of industry partners have contributed to initiatives, from real estate specialists such as Savills to construction contractor Multiplex and architect practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.

Choosing project teams thoughtfully, having a structured and sustainable approach to social commitments and tracking progress, allows developers to ensure wider reach and long-term impact of these initiatives. We can provide the framework and incentives our teams need to inspire conversations about positive impact and reward the adoption of social value initiatives.

By fostering relationships, working alongside charities and collaborating with industry stakeholders, developers can help facilitate learning and employment opportunities, ensuring that our projects leave a lasting positive impact while future-proofing the sector, reinforcing our commitment to community impact and workforce development.