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The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced a significant milestone for its New Entrant Support Team (NEST), having already surpassed its annual target for apprenticeship starts with three months of the financial year remaining.
Between April and December 2025, NEST facilitated 4,572 apprenticeship starts across England, Scotland, and Wales. This represents a 30% increase—an additional 1,040 starts—compared to the same period in 2024.
The figures reflect a growing appetite among construction firms to invest in new talent. Key statistics from the April–December 2025 period include:
- Employer Engagement: 8,054 employers worked with NEST, a 40% rise from the previous year.
- Grant Support: CITB provided £53.5 million in total apprenticeship grants to employers.
- Small Business Focus: Out of 9,251 employers supported by grants, 8,170 were classified as small or micro-businesses.
- Learner Reach: Apprenticeship grants supported 25,550 distinct learners, exceeding initial targets by 11%.
The success of the NEST initiative arrives at a critical time for the sector. CITB’s Construction Workforce Outlook report indicates that the industry requires approximately 47,000 additional workers every year until 2029 to meet the demand for new homes and infrastructure.
Deb Madden, Executive Director of Customer Engagement and Operations at CITB, said: "The industry needs a steady and strong flow of talent to deliver critical infrastructure and support the government to reach its goal of building millions of new homes. NEST is a fundamental way in which we start strengthening the workforce, by providing hands-on, practical support to employers to help with meeting their skills, training and recruitment needs."
The announcement coincides with National Apprenticeship Week, with CITB urging more construction firms to celebrate the impact of skills training. By removing administrative barriers and providing direct financial aid, NEST aims to ensure that recruiting an apprentice is a viable and efficient option for even the smallest decorative or specialist contractors.
Find out more about the New Entrant Support Team (NEST)
