The House of Commons Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has published its report, 'Workforce planning to deliver clean, secure energy', cautioning that the UK risks missing its 2030 and 2050 commitments unless the construction skills gap is addressed. MPs are urging ministers to create a nationally recognised, industry-backed programme for construction and retrofit skills. The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), whose Chief Executive gave evidence to the inquiry, welcomed the findings and called for long-term certainty, practical support tailored to SMEs, and clear pathways to attract young people into quality jobs.

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Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented: "The FMB strongly welcomes the Committee's call for a nationally recognised, industry-backed construction and retrofit skills programme. This is exactly the kind of bold intervention we need to tackle the skills crisis and deliver the Government's ambitious targets for clean energy and housing. Small builders are ready to play their part, but they need clarity, long-term certainty, and practical support to train the next generation. The UK is not going to be able to meet its housing and retrofit goals without investing in home-grown talent. SMEs are the backbone of the construction industry, yet too often they are overlooked in skills planning.

Berry continued: "A national programme must work for small firms, with flexible training routes and funding that makes it viable for them to take on apprentices and upskill their workforce. We are currently experiencing a skills crisis, and so the Government must work with industry together to create clear career pathways and make construction and retrofit attractive to a young people. If we are serious about hitting our net zero targets, we need to do more to create high quality jobs in every community."