Construction firms working on school and college buildings will be forced to offer apprenticeships and T Level placement opportunities to students to work on site, the government has said.
A press release from the Department for Education stated today that as part of its upcoming education estates strategy, construction firms working on building projects will “have to show that they are providing opportunities for apprentices and T Level students”.
The DfE said that its national construction framework contract requires two skills opportunity places for every £3 million spent.
The government estimates that the policy will create 13,000 new apprenticeship and T Level placement opportunities by 2028. It said 90 per cent of these opportunities will be offered within a “30-mile radius of a school being built, providing a boost to local communities across the country”.
Bids are also now open for funding for new college building projects via post-16 capacity funding, FE Week understands.
Skills minister Jacqui Smith said: “We can’t rebuild schools that are fit for the future unless we have the skilled workers we need to build them.
“Our education estates strategy will set out our vision for school and college buildings to deliver growth and opportunity to their local communities, backed by our plan for a decade of national renewal.
“This government is leading by example, creating incredible opportunities for our young people by championing apprenticeships and T Levels in our school and college building projects.”
Capital funding available for post-16 capacity is understood to total £375 million between this year and 2029-30.
The government has also announced plans to allocate £283 million to metro mayors and local leaders to “boost capacity” in colleges in their areas.
The £20 billion schools rebuilding programme, funded until 2034-35, aims to replace over 750 schools and sixth-form colleges across England.
A full education estates strategy is due to be published later this week.
Your thoughts