CITB has hosted senior representatives from Sweden's construction and education sectors at its National Construction College (NCC) in Inchinnan, Scotland, for a knowledge-sharing visit focused on delivering apprenticeships in rural areas.

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) supported the Scottish Government in welcoming a group of local officials, politicians, employer organisations, trade unions and education providers from a rural region in northern Sweden, all involved in apprenticeships and qualifications.

During the visit, delegates explored Scotland's approach to running apprenticeships in remote communities, including practical considerations such as delivering plumbing and roofing programmes across dispersed locations, using online technologies to support teaching, and effective delivery models for widespread rural areas. The group was accompanied by officials from the Scottish Government and SDS.

NCC, CITB's direct training centre, provides construction training and apprenticeships aligned to industry needs, helping to build the skills required across the country.

NCC Scotland has provided construction training for more than 55 years and is recognised as a nationally significant skills asset. It offers over 140 courses, from one-day health and safety training to longer-term apprenticeships, supporting employers with immediate and future workforce requirements.

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In the past year, NCC Inchinnan recruited 310 new apprentices and expects around 290 new starts this year. Without NCC Scotland, many employers would lack a domestic training pathway for several specialist roles, including plant mechanics, floorcovering, and roofing and cladding.

According to CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook, Scotland will require an average of 2,590 additional workers per year between 2026 and 2030.

Ian Hughes, Engagement Director for Scotland, CITB, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the Swedish delegation to our National Construction College in Inchinnan and show them how we are working with industry partners to develop the next generation of the construction workforce.

"It was a great opportunity for us to showcase how NCC supports learners from across the country, including through initiatives like CITB's Travel to Train Grant, which helps apprentices overcome barriers to accessing specialist training regardless of where they live.

"We hope the visit proved valuable and provided insights into how targeting skills investment and collaboration can help support construction employers and learners in rural areas."

Frank Quinn, Head of Standards and Frameworks at SDS, said: "At a time of significant growth in Scotland's construction sector, this visit was a valuable opportunity to show our Swedish counterparts how Scotland's skills system is working together to meet industry demand.

"Scotland and Sweden face many of the same challenges and opportunities. By sharing practical examples, we can strengthen how we attract and develop the next generation of talent, particularly in rural communities."

Anders Lundström, Administrative Project Manager – Apprentice of the Future, Adult Education, was part of the Swedish delegation. He said: "We were very impressed by the strong connection between training and real working environments. It was inspiring to see how practical skills, industry needs and education are brought together.

"Although Sweden and the UK have different education systems, we share many of the same challenges, and there is a great deal we can learn from each other."