Marion Marsland, CEO of the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA), has questioned the Government’s decision to single out ten Construction Technical Excellence Colleges as part of a £100m initiative to train more than 40,000 construction workers by 2029.
She said: “It’s great to see construction skills back in the headlines, but let’s be clear, these are not ‘new’ colleges. Singling out just ten as ‘technically excellent’ risks devaluing the work of many other providers who are also turning out skilled tradespeople every day.
“Quality training happens right across the UK, not just in ten locations. If we’re serious about closing the significant skills gap in the construction industry, including the thermal insulation sector, we need consistent investment and recognition for all training providers, not just a gold star for a select few.
“Brexit and an ageing workforce have deepened the skills gap, which is also exacerbated by fewer young people choosing a career in construction, due to a lack of awareness of the opportunities available. This Government announcement is a step in the right direction, but we need more than a rebrand, rather sustained, practical training opportunities for all, not just within select areas.”
The Government initiative is intended to tackle a shortage of around 35,000 skilled workers, according to the Office for National Statistics, while reducing reliance on overseas labour, and supporting the delivery of 1.5 million homes.
As the trade body for the thermal insulation industry, TICA runs its own apprenticeship programmes from its National Training Centre, combining on-the-job learning with classroom-based training. These courses, from Level 2 to Level 3, equip apprentices with specialist skills and industry-recognised qualifications.
Defying the national decline in apprenticeships, TICA welcomed a record 200 apprentices to its National Training Centre in 2025, reflecting its proactive work to raise the profile of the thermal insulation sector and the rewarding careers it offers.
Earlier this year, it advocated for public authorities to embed apprenticeships into new public procurement regulations, ensuring that major construction projects foster lasting skills development. It proposed making apprenticeship investment a key evaluation criterion for all contracts over £5 million.
