Construction News – Late August 2025
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Nearly half of construction apprentices are now over 25. Apprenticeships are usually thought of as a route into work for school leavers, but the reality in construction tells a different story.
Department for Education figures show that 43% of construction apprentices are aged 25 and over, with many already employed in the business before enrolling.
This reflects a wider national trend which sees nearly half (48%) of all apprentices in England over the age of 25. Employers are increasingly using apprenticeships not only to bring in new talent but also to upskill and retain existing staff, from tradespeople wanting to formalise their skills to site supervisors stepping into leadership roles.
In the three-month period May to July the value of construction project starts in the UK fell by 20% compared to the previous three months and by 17% compared with 2024 levels.
Not only are project starts in decline, so are contract awards, indicating that starts will continue to decline.
According to Glenigan, the value of main contract awards declined by 26% in the May-July period compared to the preceding three month, and by 39% compared to last year.
