00:00In workshops around Liverpool, young people are getting an up-close and personal look at what a career in the
00:06construction industry could actually involve, from brickwork to full-scale house-built simulations.
00:11A new national report from the Careers and Enterprise Company, working with the Home Builders Federation, says this kind of
00:17practical experience is becoming essential if the industry is to close a growing skills gap.
00:22The research, based on responses from more than 330,000 young people, shows construction is now among the top five
00:29career interests nationally, with interest rising throughout secondary school.
00:33Liverpool City Region is singled out as a leading example of how to do this in practice.
00:37Through the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, local SMEs and major house builders are working together to strengthen the talent
00:44pipeline.
00:45One example is the SPL Change Academy, where Sterling Plastering Group has partnered with house builder Keepmote to deliver hands
00:54-on training in purpose-built facilities featuring full-scale house-built mock-ups.
00:59The Construction Industry Training Board estimates the UK will need around 47,860 additional construction workers each year.
01:07Meanwhile, Home Builders Federation data suggests every 10,000 homes built support more than 30,000 jobs.
01:15Despite the demand, the report also highlights challenges, including what it describes as a leaky pipeline where learners leave training
01:22before completing long-term careers and low awareness of pathways, particularly among girls, where just 3% express interest.
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