Skills News

The newly released Skills England Sector Skills Needs Assessment: Construction report outlines the shifting workforce landscape over the next decade. Driven by infrastructure pipelines and the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes, the construction and fit-out sectors face an unprecedented demand for qualified, skilled labor. Here is a general summary of the key findings […]

The card verification platform CSCS Smart Check has officially launched a major data upgrade. The platform is the only system that verifies all 2.3 million cards carrying the CSCS logo. What is changing? The new system captures richer, site-level data during card scans through new API fields, including: GPS Coordinates: Pinpointing exactly where a card

As the regulatory landscape continues to shift, staying compliant is more critical than ever. We are pleased to invite NAS members to a free, essential webinar hosted by the Construction Law Department at Holmes & Hills Solicitors. Designed specifically for contractors, subcontractors, and consultants, this session will help you uncover what you don’t know about

CITB has officially issued the 2026 Levy Return, and it is vital that all members complete and submit their returns by the 30th June 2026 deadline. Why submit on time? Accurate Assessments: Ensure your levy is based on your actual figures rather than an estimated assessment, which could be significantly higher. Maintain Funding: Protect your

The UK Government has updated its range of financial incentives for employers who provide training and work opportunities for young people. While apprenticeships remain a key pillar, there are several alternative pathways that offer significant funding without the immediate requirement of a full apprenticeship framework. Incentives at a Glance Programme Type Requirements Incentive Payment T-Level

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has released its latest biennial report, detailing the industry’s progress over the last year and outlining the strategic priorities that will shape the sector through 2026. For NAS members, the report highlights several key “wins” and ongoing workstreams that directly impact our day-to-day operations: 1. Fairer Payment & Retentions The

A NAS and IOC members call to action from Amanda Scott UK Skills Lead and Chair of the National Occupational Standards for Wood Occupations.   Last year CITB ran an all-nations survey to determine what skills the Site Carpentry sector considered should be mandatory expectations for a competent first fix installer. The results from the

The government has officially opened a consultation on proposals to merge the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) into a single, unified Industry Training Board (ITB). Published on 23 March 2026, the consultation seeks views from employers, representative bodies, and training providers across England, Scotland, and Wales. The

From 1 April 2026, the CITB has announced that the way training funding is distributed across the construction and shopfitting industry is changing. These updates follow a significant 36% rise in employer engagement and a national commitment to train up to 60,000 more workers. What it means for Micro, Small, and Medium Members (1–249 staff)