The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has today released its year-end performance data for its New Entrant Support Team (NEST), revealing a significant increase in apprenticeship starts. During the financial year 2024-25, NEST supported 4,128 individuals in commencing apprenticeships, a substantial rise from the 2,340 supported in the previous year.

NEST plays a crucial role in simplifying the process for employers to find, recruit, and retain apprentices and other new entrants. The team works closely with construction firms to address and overcome any obstacles they might encounter in employing and retaining new talent, with a particular focus on apprentices.

This success comes as part of the UK Government’s £600 million investment in construction skills. As part of this initiative, CITB is set to invest £32 million annually to fund over 40,000 industry placements for learners at Levels 2 and 3, including those pursuing NVQs, BTECs, T Levels, and advanced apprenticeships. Furthermore, CITB will double the size of its NEST programme to enhance support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in their efforts to recruit, engage, and retain apprentices.

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This funding package follows a recent £40 million investment by CITB, in collaboration with the Government, in Homebuilding Skills Hubs aimed at delivering fast-track apprenticeships.

In line with CITB’s Strategic Plan 2025-29, the organisation is committing over £550 million to attract new individuals into the construction industry, with NEST being a key delivery mechanism for this support.

This investment is intended to underpin the Government’s ambitious target of building 1.5 million new homes and to facilitate the delivery of 150 major infrastructure projects planned across the current Parliament.

Deb Madden, Executive Director for Nations Engagement at CITB, commented on the figures: "A strong pipeline of apprentices and construction workers is required to build the millions of homes and hundreds of infrastructure projects needed. The significant support employers receive through NEST is essential. We’re really pleased to see how well the team has performed in the last year, and we endeavour to continue this growth."

Ms Madden further elaborated on the function of NEST: "NEST is all about giving employers access to hands-on, free support to help them with their apprentice recruitment and retention needs."

She concluded by highlighting the impact of recent partnerships: "Our recent investment partnerships alongside the Government will help to continue the good work of NEST by removing barriers for employers, particularly small businesses, and support them to recruit and retain new entrants."