Page 40 - CFJ_Apr26

TRAINING

Female participation in construction highest figure on record. recruitment, indicating recent increases
apprenticeships has continued to Women now account for 10.7% of in total apprenticeship numbers are
rise, with 2,630 women starting all new construction apprentices, up being driven largely by improved female
apprenticeships in 2024/25, an 9% from 10.0% in 2023/24. This growth participation rather than broader sector
increase on the previous year and the contrasts with relatively flat male growth.

18% rise in construction apprentices joining the sector from diverse backgrounds
Year New apprentices from ethnic backgrounds Change on year before as %
2020/21 1,190 15% decrease
2021/22 1,690 42% increase
2022/23 1,900 12% increase
2023/24 1,920 1% increase
2024/25 2,270 18% increase

2024/25 also saw a record increase for Apprenticeship starts among younger age Those aged 19-24 remain the dominant
new apprentices entering the construction groups has shown limited growth, with entry group, accounting for over a third
sector from ethnic backgrounds, with 2,270 16-18 year old intake remaining broadly (35%) of new apprentices, and showing
new starters, representing an 18% year- flat year-on-year. Notably, the number of modest growth of 3% in 2024/25. Older
on-year rise. This brings the total number 18-year-olds started to increase slightly age groups (35+) continue to represent a
of apprentices from ethnic backgrounds in 2024/25, reversing declines seen in small but gradually growing share of new
to nearly double (+88%) 2018/19 levels, previous years. starters.
marking a renewed improvement in
diversity intake following only a small East Midlands is the fastest growing region for new construction apprentices with 8%
increase in 2023/24. growth, North West remains largest region for apprentices overall
Rank Region New apprentices New apprentices % growth
35 to 44-year-olds record strongest growth in 2023/4 2024/5
construction apprenticeships at 9%, signalling 1 North West 4,040 4,240 4.95%
turnaround after last year’s stagnation 2 South West 3,280 3,380 3.05%
Number of new construction apprentices 3 South East 3,150 3,100 -1.59%
Age 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 4 Yorkshire/ Humber 3,050 3,040 -0.33%
16 4,160 4,010 4,040 5 East of England 2,400 2,320 -3.33%
17 3,820 3,760 3,670 6 East Midlands 1,990 2,150 8.04%
18 4,410 4,370 4,450 7 West Midlands 2,100 2,130 1.43%
19-24 8,310 8,310 8,530 8 North East 2,030 2,010 -0.99%
25-34 2,530 2,490 2,540 9 London 1,930 1,980 2.59%
35-44 850 850 930
45-59 400 400 410 The North West remains the UK’s leading region for construction apprenticeship starts,
recording nearly 5% growth year-on-year. Strong growth was also seen in the East
60+ 50 40 30 Midlands, which recorded the fastest percentage increase of any region, growing by 8%.
In contrast, several southern regions - including the southeast and east England -
experienced declines, highlighting an increasingly uneven regional recovery.
While London remains the lowest-ranking region overall, its 2.6% growth in 2024/25
suggests early signs of stabilisation after several weak years. 

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40 CFJ April 2026 www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk
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