There are roughly 30 construction employers for every apprenticeship start in London, compared with less than four in Scotland and between six and 20 across other regions, according to the Construction Apprenticeships: Opportunities. Challenges. Support, which is the CITB’s most recent report.

Scotland had 42.3 starts per 1,000 construction workers in 2024/25, while London had the lowest rate at 8.9 starts per 1,000 workers. 

According to the report, employers in Scotland (45%) and Wales (41%) are also more likely than those in England (30%) to believe that demand for apprenticeships is greater than the amount of opportunities available.

In Scotland, apprenticeship achievement rates stand higher than in England and Wales. 

In 2024/2025, construction and built environment apprenticeship achievement rates in England were 58.3%.

In Wales, the construction apprenticeship achievement rates for the same year were 64%. 

But in Scotland, the achievement rate for “construction and related” apprenticeships stood at 78.4%.

The report shows that across the UK roughly 33,000 people started a construction apprenticeship in 2024-25, but that only approximately 17% of construction businesses are employing an apprentice at present. 

Lee Bryer, insight manager at CITB, said: “Construction needs skilled people across the whole of Britain, and this report shows striking differences in the scale of opportunity for people to start apprenticeships depending on where they live.

“Apprenticeships are fundamental to the future of construction, and a hard-working apprenticeship is great to have in any business.

“With many young people also not being in education, employment, or training, apprenticeships can be a fantastic way for them to join the workforce; the sector, the government, and education providers need to come together.”

Bryer added: “We cannot afford for apprenticeship opportunities to be lower or to be concentrated in only some parts of the country.”