In the 2025–26 Programme for Government (PfG), the Scottish Government has committed to working with partners across the public and private sectors to develop a Skills Action Plan for offshore wind. The PfG further promises to establish and deliver an Offshore Wind Skills Programme in Scotland’s colleges.

While these commitments are currently light on detail, they nonetheless signal the Government’s willingness to recognise that “addressing critical skills gaps” in key sectors requires strategic, government-led planning with input from all relevant stakeholders—and a programme to facilitate these plans.

I couldn’t agree more.

We need the same commitment for Scotland’s construction sector.

What I’m about to say, I’ve said many times before and to many different audiences. However, in light of the PfG’s recent commitments, I believe it’s worth repeating.

Ensuring the construction industry has a steady supply of skilled labour continues to be one of the sector’s biggest challenges. In 2023, a report from Skills Development Scotland noted that supply issues have worsened across Scotland, with vacancies in the construction sector becoming increasingly difficult to fill. In 2024, figures from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) estimated 5,220 new entrants would be needed in Scotland annually between 2024 and 2028 to meet demand.

Encouragingly, recent consumer data from the CIOB shows a positive trend in young people’s perceptions of the construction industry. The CIOB’s survey found almost three-quarters (74%) of young people aged 16–24 in Scotland hold a favourable view of construction careers, and more than a third (36%) would consider working in the sector. A similar survey of parents of 16–24-year-olds revealed that more than three-quarters (77%) would support their child pursuing a career in construction.

Despite these promising shifts in perception, nearly half of those surveyed (43%) said information about construction was not included in the careers advice they received during their education.

There are some great initiatives across several industry-led groups working on finding ways to close the skills gap. This work is important and encouragingly collaborative. 
However, having had the privilege of speaking with many across the sector—from lecturers and college leaders to training providers, employers, and recent graduates—it’s clear there are still significant challenges in how apprenticeships and training programmes are funded and delivered.

These are major barriers that exist at a national, system-wide level, beyond the scope of what any industry initiative can tackle alone.

Construction, like offshore wind, is a key sector in delivering the Scottish Government’s net zero, housing, and Just Transition objectives. Funding for apprenticeships is limited, and it’s imperative we make the most of what is available.

This requires a long-term, strategic view of Scotland’s housing and infrastructure needs—working backwards to ensure the programmes designed to train the necessary workforce are well-funded, well-promoted, and accessible to the students who wish to enrol in them.

The Programme for Government notes that “the journey to net zero also presents significant opportunities—for people, communities, and businesses”.

Once again, I couldn’t agree more. But making the most of these opportunities must include developing and maintaining a robust, competent construction sector. Training skilled workers takes time—years, in fact.

We need the Scottish Government to commit to working with the industry to develop a Skills Action Plan for construction, and fast! 

• Jocelyne Fleming is senior policy & public affairs officer – Scotland at CIOB