Rockthorn Welcomes Government Plans to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Talent

The construction industry has faced a growing skills shortage for many years, so it’s encouraging to see the Government announce new plans to strengthen technical education and introduce more opportunities for young people to explore careers in construction from the age of 14.

The proposals are designed to give students greater access to vocational learning and practical workplace experience, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment. For an industry expected to need hundreds of thousands of additional workers over the next decade, this is a positive step in the right direction.

At Rockthorn, we see the effects of the skills shortage every day. Labour shortages can delay projects, increase costs and put additional pressure on contractors. While these new education pathways won’t solve today’s challenges overnight, they represent an important investment in the future of our industry.

Investing in the next generation

Supporting young people into employment has always been important to us. We have a relatively young workforce, and one of our team joined Rockthorn at just 16 years old. She’s still with us today and has become a valued member of the business, demonstrating the benefits of giving young people the opportunity to develop their careers.

As part of our continued commitment to supporting future talent, we’ll soon be advertising for an apprentice to join the Rockthorn team.

Stuart Curtis, Managing Director of Rockthorn, said:

“It’s great to see construction and technical careers being given the recognition they deserve. The industry offers fantastic opportunities, but many young people simply aren’t aware of the range of careers available.

“Government support is an important step, but businesses also need to play their part. Whether it’s offering work experience, apprenticeships or simply taking the time to introduce young people to the industry, we all have a responsibility to help inspire the next generation.”

Turning ambition into action

While the Government’s plans are encouraging, real change will only happen if employers get involved.

For construction, plant hire and site engineering, that means opening our doors, offering work experience, creating apprenticeship opportunities and giving young people a genuine insight into what a career in the industry looks like.

Construction is about far more than many people realise. Alongside skilled trades, there are rewarding careers in engineering, plant operation, logistics, procurement, finance, project management, technology and health and safety. By helping young people understand these opportunities, we can encourage them to consider a profession they may never have otherwise discovered.

Looking ahead

There is no single solution to the construction skills shortage, but this announcement is a positive step towards building a stronger workforce for the future.

At Rockthorn, we believe the responsibility doesn’t sit with Government alone. If employers, schools and training providers all work together, we can inspire more young people to choose construction as a career and help secure the long-term future of an industry that plays such an important role in the UK economy.

We’re proud to support that journey and look forward to welcoming the next generation into our industry.