Places for People launches new training programme to tackle sector skills shortages

Places for People has launched a new training programme aimed at addressing skills shortages in the construction and housing sectors.

The PfP Thrive programme, which launched yesterday, will operate from 20 sites across the UK and aims to train over 200 apprentices and 1000 people in technical courses in its first year.

Places for People will open a brand-new training academy centre in Derby in summer 2025 and will welcome its first apprentices in autumn next year.

PfP Thrive delivery programmes will focus on the traditional and new skills needed by the housing sector to efficiently repair and maintain customers’ homes, implement its shared housebuilding programme, meet its retrofit goals, and foster the development of both new and existing professionals in the industry.

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The programmes will also offer compliance training, apprenticeship and leadership development courses to meet the evolving needs of the sector workforce. 

Tom Arey, director of PfP Thrive, said: “The housing crisis has been hanging over us for far too long but we also have a more recent threat staring us in the face – a worsening skills shortage which is damaging our ability to deliver today and putting at risk what we know we have to deliver in the future.”

He added that by 2032, more than 565,000 skilled tradespeople will retire from the industry, leaving a shortage of 50,000 electricians, 45,000 carpenters and 40,000 plumbers.

He continued “This doesn’t even consider the skills we need to retrofit our homes and the use of new technology or innovations that are coming down the track”.

Arey stated that “PfP Thrive is here to tackle the industry’s growing skills shortage, preparing the next generation of ambitious professionals who are fired up and ready to grow. Our brand-new training academy and provider will empower people, grow skills, and shape the future of the housing industry for generations to come.” 

Greg Reed, group CEO of Places for People, said:  “Today marks the next major milestone in our relentless journey of innovation and ambition in helping customers, communities and the wider sector to thrive. 

“PfP Thrive is so much more than just training provision. It’s about progress, growth and success – core values which embody our wider purpose to create and support thriving communities”.

Reed stated that the initiative will create learning opportunities to support the housing and construction sectors and provide the workforce with the quality learning it deserves.

He added: “We’re not just building skills, we’re building futures – for our people and the entire sector. We’re incredibly excited and this is just the beginning.”