Andrew Pakes MP, co-chair of the Apprenticeships APPG, was speaking at a CIOB Houses of Parliament event
Construction apprenticeships must sit at the heart of government plans to tackle housing shortages, according to Andrew Pakes MP, co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships.
Speaking at a CIOB Houses of Parliament event which he sponsored, Pakes said construction apprenticeships “change lives and strengthen communities” and are essential to building the workforce needed to deliver safe, sustainable homes.
“Getting apprenticeships, skills and standards right in construction must be a core priority for Government if we are serious about delivering the housing, growth and opportunities this country deserves,” he added.
His message comes after repeated warnings that labour shortages remain one of the biggest barriers to meet the Labour Government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes this parliament.
Apprentices and early-career professionals attended the CIOB event to share first-hand accounts of joining the industry, describing both the challenges they faced and the support that helped them succeed.
“Apprenticeships change lives and strengthen communities, giving people the skills and confidence they need to get on in life.”
“Meeting CIOB members and apprentices and Tomorrow’s Leaders shows how investing in skills not only opens doors for individuals, but also builds the workforce our construction sector needs to deliver safe, sustainable homes and infrastructure,” said Pakes.
“I am deeply passionate about apprenticeships because they change lives and strengthen communities, giving people the skills and confidence they need to get on in life.”
The cross-party gathering brought together MPs and peers with leaders from across the built environment, and included CIOB president Paul Gandy, Lord Andrew Mawson, a cross-bench peer who has led community regeneration projects, and Will Forster MP, a member of the Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
Eddie Tuttle, CIOB director of policy, external affairs and research, said engagement with Parliament remained essential heading into 2026.
“2025 has been a busy year for us at CIOB and the wider construction industry but there remains much to do as we move into 2026,” he said.
“Engaging with policymakers in Parliament is important as it enables us to connect them with our members who are working on the front line of the industry day in day out, and can talk with authority on the challenges they face and what they’d like to see change.
“Many of Government’s priorities including the ambitious housebuilding targets, rely on our industry so it’s vital that issues including skills shortages, procurement practices and building safety are given due attention and policy support.”
The most difficult hurdle was to get 16 year old boys to realise an apprenticeship involving day release and evening classes was worthwhile. 50 years ago, having just passed my MCIOB (now CIOB) exams at the age of 23, I was offered the opportunity to supplement the salary I was being paid by the largest international building contractor to whom I was Indentured by lecturing students in evening classes at the local “tech” college. I got the job as I had all my notes from 4+ years of studying for HND in Building and for MCIOB. The college then gave me an entry class of lads to teach. The noise in this class was almost deafening, but they did hear at last when I said “As soon as I have taken the register, you can go home”. All bar 3 of the boys left. Much the same happened in the next class. On the third occasion, the whole class was rather quiet. One of the “skiving” lads said to me “We will all fail our exams, won’t we?” I said “yes”. He asked me “Don’t you care?” I said “Yes, but I need you to care even more than I do”. He then asked if I would give them the notes for the previous lectures. I said “No, but if you take the three lads who had attended (whom you no doubt have been laughing about) out for a beer or two, maybe they would lend you their notes”.
Once they realised what was at stake, they were then (quite) polite, hungry for information and a pleasure to teach. Combined with site based practical teaching and experience, I hope they all went on to successful careers in the industry.
PS: In my opinion the practical side of the ONC stepping stone to HNC and CIOB was better than a University degree for all of the lads.