York initiative to plug construction skills gaps and boost employment in the city

City of York Council is investing in a new construction skills initiative, with support from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Construction York aims to reduce inequality, address the construction skills gap and enable inclusive economic growth.

With the city about to embark on several key housing developments, plus retrofitting work needed to hit carbon reduction targets, there will be an increasing number of opportunities for skilled construction workers in the York area.

This initiative aims to ensure local residents are able to take full advantage of these opportunities, and can access training needed to meet employers’ skills requirements.

The council is working with leading social value enterprise CHY to manage the collaborative design, development and implementation of Construction York during its first phase from June 2024 to March 2025.

Construction York aims to equip York residents with relevant skills, qualifications and experience to progress in construction, particularly those from disadvantaged, underrepresented and underemployed groups.

The initiative will provide advice and guidance on future employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities and developing clear routes to well-paid, sustainable employment for people at every stage in their construction career, as well as improved access to opportunities across York’s development and construction activity.

By connecting individuals, training providers, community organisations and employers, the scheme hopes to address current skills gaps and boost local employment.

Cllr Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Economy and Culture, said:

“It was the right decision to get behind Construction York and we continue to work with partners to help connect York residents to well paid jobs in the construction industry.

“It is really important that we maximise job opportunities for local people while closing the skills gap that exists in the region.

“We have a lot of work to be getting on with, including various sites across the city, York Central and the imminent adoption of the Local Plan.

“Our vision is that when people look down over York from a vantage point like Severus Hill they see it as teeming with opportunity for them, their friends and families.”

Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities, said:

“In our council plan, One City for All, we committed to building the new generation of affordable and sustainable homes that York urgently needs.

“Construction York is set to play an important part in making this ambition a reality and I look forward to working alongside the whole team to help local people benefit from the economic opportunities offered by our development projects.

“As well as increasing the amount of affordable housing in our city, projects like York Central also offer opportunities to help more of our residents unlock highly-skilled, well-paid work, and I’m confident that Construction York will help us make the most of these exciting opportunities.”

The initiative is currently speaking to individuals seeking work, construction businesses looking for talent, training providers, and community organisations involved with matching jobseekers with work and training.

Anybody interested in finding out more should visit https://www.constructionyork.co.uk or call 0800 1455195 to get more information.