The news was announced by Skills Minister Anne Milton and aims to ensure 158,000 new construction jobs are created over the next five years. Known as the Construction Skills Fund, the money will bring training to construction sites by opening 20 training hubs across the country. This will allow students to learn in a real-world environment while meeting the needs of the employer by filling the current shortage of workers.

The scheme will offer work experience and placements for those wanting to join the industry, pathways for people who are currently unemployed and for those wishing to change career.

Milton has stated that the government has committed to 300,000 homes per year by the mid-2020s, therefore it is essential to invest in the UK skills base to achieve this.

The scheme has also been backed by Dominic Raab, the Minister of State for Housing. He points out that the construction workforce needs to have innovative ideas to be ready for the future of building. He says that the government has already invested £1bn to build on modern building innovations and the new fund will teach the skills needed to deliver targets.

The government is calling on employers, housing associations and anyone working in the industry to submit expressions of interest if they wish to host an on-site learning hub.