In today’s construction news, learn about how Human rights activists have found evidence that the construction industry in the United Kingdom could be a harbour for hundreds of people enslaved to modern slavery. Data from the anti-slavery NGO Unseen’s helpline has recognised the construction industry as a growing risk area. On the other hand, the CITB, or Construction Industry Training Board, is supporting a training initiative to quicken the pace of timber building in the United Kingdom. To better prepare current construction workers to meet the demands of the quickly expanding timber construction sector and attract new talent, the CITB Industry Impact Fund has allocated £430,000 to support the creation of training materials and courses.
Charity Warns UK Construction Workers of New Slavery
Original Source: UK construction workers at risk from modern slavery, charity warns
Human rights monitors say hundreds of UK construction workers risk modern slavery.
Antislavery charity helpline data Construction is a rising issue, according to Unseen. It had second-most exploitation calls to its helpline in 2024 after the care industry.
The organisation had 492 construction calls and 586 care calls. It alleged construction worker exploitation was rising.
The industry underpins the economy and the government’s aim to build 1.5 million homes over five years.
CCLA, the UK’s largest charity asset manager, has consistently expressed concerns about construction modern slavery.
Companies underperform on compliance with the 2015 Modern Slavery Act, according to its assessment of discovering, repairing, and preventing modern slavery. Migrant employment is common, working conditions are hard, and workplaces are typically hidden, isolating some workers.
CCLA invited senior construction industry representatives and civil society organisations to meet with safeguarding minister Jess Phillips.
During private meetings, she told the Guardian: “The construction sector is vital to our national ambition and our economy, but it is also vulnerable. The risk of exploitation in this area is significant. Major housing and infrastructure programs are reaching a critical point, but we must not compromise workers’ rights.
“I know it’s hard to talk about these issues, but culture must change. Modern slavery is widespread. I suppose you are not seeking hard enough if you cannot find it.”
The job rights bill under consideration in parliament seeks to safeguard workers from contemporary slavery and labour abuse. The Work Rights Centre worries that modern slavery and labour exploitation protections are insufficient.
Earlier this year, the government amended its supply chain transparency guidance.
Last month’s Oxford Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre research showed major gaps in understanding on construction industry modern slavery and labour abuses.
“Without improved data, reporting mechanisms and enforcement capacity the true scale of exploitation is likely to remain hidden,” the report concluded. It urged contemporary slavery and workforce exploitation monitoring bodies to evaluate and share their findings.
CCLA head of contemporary slavery Sara Thornton said: “Multiple layers of subcontracting, casual labour, and skill shortages put the construction sector at high risk of labour exploitation in the UK. Material supply chains are extensive and opaque, with numerous raw materials from nations with weak labour market regulation and bad human rights histories.
A case study
Frank (not his real name) was lured into coming to the UK from Barbados with his 14-year-old son and slaved in construction for over three years.
The individual who brought me here earned my trust, so I was surprised. I had no idea modern slavery existed, he remarked.
“I was laid off. I was crushed by the pay cut. I was saved by him. Join us for six months to earn up to £600 each week.
I was told the business when they escorted us back to this residence. I had to work or they would kill my son.
At five in the morning and six at night, I went out in harsh weather. Working in snow without adequate gear was my first time. I was so hungry I talked to my stomach. Moving 500–600 bricks, churning concrete, tiling roofs and erecting walls was challenging.
“I never worked the same place. I used to drive around with the tools in the back of the van. I worked in unknown places.
Residents of private properties we worked on are unaware of this. When they arrive, you leave. They pay to get the job done regardless of who does it.
“For three-and-a-half years, I did what they wanted, but I got weaker and weaker and couldn’t work.
“One morning, I snapped because I was too weak to lift blocks or do anything. I guess they realised he was cursing and calling me names. They told me to get in the van with my son. They drove us to an unfamiliar suburb and left me and my son on the street.”
Launch of the New Timber in Construction Skills Initiative
Original Source: New Timber in Construction Skills programme launches
CITB funds a training program to accelerate UK timber building.
The CITB Industry Impact Fund will provide £430,000 to develop training content and courses to improve pathways for new construction workers and equip them to meet the needs of the rapidly growing timber construction sector. It will also aid the Timber in Construction Roadmap, a government-industry partnership formed this year.
An industry collaboration led by CITB levy-payer Donaldson Offsite, a renowned UK offsite timber manufacturer, developed the financing bid. Edinburgh Napier University, New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), BE-ST, Structural Timber Association (STA), and Timber Development UK (TDUK) are part of the consortium.
Vanessa Freeman, Head of Grant and Funding Projects at CITB, said: “CITB is very proud to be working alongside industry partners to support the timber sector to train, develop and retain its workforce. To address skills gaps, diversity, and workforce future-proofing, industry collaboration is crucial.
“Timber construction is one of the fastest-growing construction sectors due to carbon reduction in the built environment. This investment will help the timber sector reach its potential by closing the skills gap in this and other building sectors.
Donaldson Offsite CEO and CTI Chair Alex Goodfellow said: “We’re proud to have led this bid on behalf of the timber construction sector and deeply grateful to the CITB for their support. It’s amazing to see such a broad supplier chain support this project, demonstrating how essential timber building is to our industry’s future.
We must address the skills gap to meet the UK Government’s sustainable housing goals. That requires investing in people—improving training, education, and timber building pathways.
The project could have a lasting influence. We can build a more competent, confident, and competitive workforce that can produce the sustainable houses our country needs by coordinating skills development across the sector.
The 24-month initiative will examine industry learning material and delivery shortcomings. The goal is to provide robust, effective accredited courses and clear career routes to upskill and reskill the workforce in the management and on-site delivery of offsite manufactured modern methods of construction (MMC) utilising structural timber.
Expectations for the project:
Upskill and reskill the UK construction workforce to meet rising timber MMC demand.
Improve workforce competency to achieve UK housing ambitions and deliver a net-zero carbon built environment.
Introduce the construction sector and its creative approach to a more varied workforce to attract new talent to a growing business.
Professor Robert Hairstans, Edinburgh Napier and NMITE, who chairs the Timber in Construction Skills Group, said: “This project was developed with the sector and its agencies to meet industry needs. To satisfy future industry demands, a scalable and sustainable strategy that integrates timber construction training into the national education system is desired.
To have the desired impact, we must collaborate and act rapidly to grow what works and implement what doesn’t. By providing practical and adaptable educational content and avenues for advancement, we can create a more diverse, future-ready workforce.
Over two years, the project will create new courses and connect with accredited programs to scale up timber MMC delivery via regional training centres such CITB-accredited training companies, colleges, and universities, expanding the consortium’s The approach will build on the award-winning NMITE Timber Technology Engineering and Design short courses and Structural Timber Association Installer Training Scheme to provide construction project management and other skills needed to meet future regulatory drivers like the UK’s Future Homes Standard (FHS) and PAS 8700:2025 Modern methods of construction for new-build residential properties.
Educational content created will support professional standards and qualifications, such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) competence framework for project managers and Timber Development UK Skills Action Plan, which includes a Timber in Construction Competence Framework, allowing progression pathways to or maintenance of professional memberships. The project will scale to meet demand by creating regional hubs and educating trainers nationwide.
Summary of today’s construction news
In summary, workers’ rights, particularly those against exploitation and modern slavery, are the focus of the employment rights bill now making its way through parliament. The Work Rights Centre believes that current safeguards against exploitation of workers and modern slavery are insufficient. Earlier this year, the government revised its recommendations regarding supply chain transparency.
On the other hand, the educational content that is created will support professional standards and qualifications, such as the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) competence framework for project managers and the Timber Development UK Skills Action Plan, which includes a Timber in Construction Competence Framework. This will allow for pathways to membership or progression within the profession. The project will achieve scalable impact by setting up regional hubs and educating trainers at sites around the nation to meet demand.