I speak to lots of construction companies across Buckinghamshire, from small family-run firms to main contractors and one thing is clear: the industry is changing and so are its skills needs.

Closing the Skills Gap

The Buckinghamshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) has identified construction as a priority sector, alongside digital, engineering, and health & social care. Why? Because employers keep telling us the same thing: there’s a shortage of practical, adaptable skills. The LSIP’s mission is clear - align training with real business needs so that education delivers the workforce our county requires.

Buckinghamshire’s construction sector is a powerhouse, with over 4,400 businesses - nearly one in seven companies in the county. The vast majority are SMEs, and more than 75% employ fewer than five people.

These small firms are an essential part of our local economy, delivering everything from home improvements to extensions and loft conversions. But the reality is, specialist single-trade contractors are rare, with the number of single-property new-builds less frequent. Most new developments now consist of multi-unit plots managed by large national contractors.

What Skills Do Local Construction SMEs Need?

Most companies need workers who can turn their hand to multiple trades because today’s projects are unpredictable. One week it’s a patio or a garden office, the next it’s a loft conversion, or if you’re lucky, a sizeable house extension. It’s consistently a mix. This effectively creates a barrier to companies taking on apprentices, which ultimately can lead to skill shortages.

I hear it all the time: “We don’t have 100% carpentry or 100% bricklaying work. Our projects need a mix of skills,” - and they’re right. It’s unrealistic to expect a small business to take on an apprentice if they can’t provide the right experience. Furthermore, you can’t have an apprentice sitting around doing nothing - it’s just another cost.

We need to match the courses we offer to the requirements of our local employers and make it worthwhile to employ an apprentice. A member of staff that is going to earn them money instead of costing them money.

Introducing the Property Maintenance Operative Apprenticeship

That’s where our Property Maintenance Operative (PMO) apprenticeship comes in. This is not a single-trade course. It’s a 24-month, multi-trade programme designed for the reality of Buckinghamshire’s construction landscape. Apprentices learn everything from plastering, plumbing and carpentry to basic electrical work, roofing and drainage repairs - the skills that keep projects moving.

The content of this course seems to match the requirements of our local construction companies, but also our students - with almost 2.5 times the number of enrolments for “multi-skills” construction courses, compared to the more traditional single trades (bricklaying, carpentry, electrical, etc) year on year. The intake number is expected to go over 100 students just in our Aylesbury Campus.

To ensure the course content is aligned with what Buckinghamshire businesses actually need, we’re holding an employer board meeting on Thursday 9th October 2025. This will be a chance for local construction companies to review the proposed course structure and help shape the assignments so they’re a good fit for real-world work. It’s difficult to get an immediate return on investment, but the content of this course, combined with the fact that it’s only two years in length, sounds like it could be perfect for our local building community.

Our Commitment – Employer-Focused Solutions

At Bucks College Group, we’re here to support local businesses, who are the employers of our students and the lifeblood of our community. Through Work Experience, T-Levels and Apprenticeships, we’re helping to create the future workforce for Buckinghamshire.

That’s why we’ve built a course that reflects real-world needs - and why we’ve introduced employer-focused initiatives like “Try-Before-You-Buy”, which connects businesses with our top stream of work-ready students. It’s about building confidence in the apprenticeship system and making sure an apprentice adds value from day one.

Why It Makes Business Sense

Taking on an apprentice isn’t just about giving back - it’s a smart move for your business:

• Access motivated, site-ready talent
• Benefit from government-funded training
• Shape the next generation of professionals
• Future-proof your workforce

With UK construction output forecast to grow by 1.6% in 2025 and demand for 47,000 extra workers every year, the time to act is now.

How You Can Get Involved

If you’re a Buckinghamshire construction business, large or small, we want to work with you.

Contact me directly on 07349 441600 or by email: [email protected]

Save the date! Employer Board Meeting: Thursday 9th October 2025.

By supporting apprenticeships, you’re not only helping your business thrive - you’re strengthening the entire local economy. Let’s build the future workforce together.

By Mark Priest, Business Development Manager, Bucks College Group