Construction Skills Mission Board
The Construction Skills Mission Board met for the first time last week to set out a strategy to recruit an additional 100,000 workers a year into the construction sector by 2029, following the Government’s commitment to invest £625 million of funding to tackle the industry’s skills shortages and support the delivery of homes and infrastructure.
The Mission Board, which is chaired by Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the CLC and Executive Chairman of Build UK member Mace, will develop initiatives focused on five key areas: confidence to employ and invest, clear new entrant pathways, access to provision and support to train, funding that works, and reliable and rewarding careers. Four Build UK members have been appointed to the Mission Board – Julie White (Build UK Chair), Katy Dowding (Skanska), Mark Lawrence (TClarke) and Jerome Frost (Arup) – and we will be supporting its work, including addressing long-standing issues with recruiting and retaining apprentices and rolling out a digital skills passport.
The Department for Work and Pensions has also signed an agreement with CITB to jointly fund 40,000 industry placements in construction. Jobcentres will work more closely with industry to offer work experience and tailored placements for those looking to start a career in the sector.
Improving Infrastructure Delivery
Build UK held a Forum meeting earlier this week where Becky Wood (Chief Executive) and Jon Loveday (Director of Infrastructure, Enterprise and Growth) from the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) gave an overview of the 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and NISTA’s role in implementation.
The Government’s ambition and commitment to deliver £725 billion of economic and social infrastructure over the next 10 years will require system-wide change to the way that projects are planned and delivered. The strategy is the first step towards Government becoming a ‘smart client’ and providing the certainty that businesses need to invest in labour, skills and technology for the successful delivery of infrastructure across the UK.
The digital Infrastructure Pipeline, which will be published before Parliamentary recess starts on 22 July, will provide a ‘level of visibility and stability that the industry has never had before’. It will cover ‘committed projects’ from early stages of development through to construction, with data on timelines, size, location and procurement routes. The ‘clear and credible’ pipeline will be expanded over time to include greater granularity, with updates at least every six months to begin with.
The next Forum meeting for all members will be held on Tuesday 23 September from 8:30am ‐ 9:45am and include the Build UK AGM where the new Chair and Board for 2025/26 will be appointed.
Conflict Avoidance Pledge
Social Housing Plan
🏅 TrustMark: More Than a Logo – Extra Benefits for Your Business
If you’re already TrustMark Registered through AFI, don’t forget—you have access to a range of exclusive benefits beyond the recognition itself, including:
🔹 Use of the TrustMark logo to boost customer confidence
🔹 Free access to TrustMark’s Business Portal
🔹 Discounted insurance and van hire
🔹 Marketing and promotional tools
🔹 Training and business support resources
🔹 Inclusion in the TrustMark online directory
See the full list of additional benefits here
Not TrustMark Registered yet?
AFI members can become a TrustMark Registered Business completely free as part of your membership. It’s a powerful way to build trust with customers, stand out in the market, and show you meet government-endorsed quality standards.
📩 To get started, just email victoria@theafi.co.uk
📎 Or learn more here
Introducing Kelly Worrall a Certified Facebook & Google Ads Manager and Trainer who has worked 15 years.
TrustMark members can get an exclusive offer of £200 off, with no setup fees (usually £299).
With a deep understanding of what it takes to generate better quality leads – and as the owner of a successful construction company herself – she brings a unique and practical edge to every campaign. As a female homeowner and property renovator, she also understands exactly what today’s homeowners are looking for when it comes to home improvements, repairs and maintenance.
TrustMark Registered Businesses can now benefit from:
- Discounts
- Free Training
- Free Social Media Templates
Find out more here
UK Fencing Awards 2025 – This is your moment to shine!
There are just four weeks left to enter the UK Fencing Industry Awards 2025 – and we want to see your best work in the spotlight.
Whether you’re an established contractor, a rising apprentice, or a stand-out supplier – now’s the time to get your entries in. Winning (or even being shortlisted!) is a powerful way to show clients, colleagues and the wider industry that you’re leading the way.
📅 Entries close 31st July – don’t miss your chance to be recognised.
🛠 Categories include:
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Agricultural & Equine
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Domestic
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Industrial
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Security
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Highways & Railways
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Sports & Education
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Temporary & Hoarding
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Apprentice of the Year
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Gates & Barriers
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Project of the Year
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NEW: Supplier of the Year
🎉 The big night takes place on 13th November at Mercedes-Benz World, featuring a guest speaker, champagne reception, F1 simulator experience (with a prize for the fastest lap!) and a celebration of the very best in our industry.
👉 Full details and entry forms HERE
Let’s make this year’s Awards the biggest and best yet.
FenceX 2025 – Best Practice Day Returns
FenceX 2025 is fast approaching – and with almost all of the stand space now sold and visitor numbers climbing, the event on 15th October at NAEC Stoneleigh is shaping up to be the UK’s biggest fencing industry showcase yet.
Following a sell-out spring event, the AFI & AFA Best Practice Day returns outdoors, with support from Tornado Wire(lead sponsor), Scanpole, and StowAg. The day will feature:
🔧 Two full fencing lines (wood & metal)
🛠️ Practical demos on strainers, turners & wire techniques in varied ground
👷♂️ Demonstrations led by some of the UK’s top fencing professionals
Inside the hall, the exhibitor line-up reads like a who’s who of the industry – with names like IAE, CLD, Barkers, Zaun, Alexandra Security, Lochrin Bain, Harper Chalice, First Fence, Henry Squire, CLA, Borg Locks, Birkdale, and DHF all confirmed, alongside international brands and sector specialists – see the full list of exhibitors here
💥 Plus, enjoy the largest-ever destruction testing schedule at a UK fencing show
⚙️ Explore the Gate Automation Zone
🎤 Attend industry seminars
🥓 And claim a free bacon roll when you pre-register!
🎟️ Free visitor tickets at www.fencex.com
📧 Enquiries: fencex@theafi.co.uk
Industry Appointments
Emma Jones CBE has been appointed by Government as the new Small Business Commissioner, following the completion of Liz Barclay’s four-year term. The Office of the Small Business Commissioner oversees the new Fair Payment Code (FPC) and members interested in signing up to the FPC should complete the expression of interest form.
Paul Gandy, Board Advisor at Tilbury Douglas and a member of the Build UK Board, has been elected President of the CIOB. Paul will use his one-year term to champion the important role construction plays in enabling a wide range of other key industries, as well as showcase how the sector delivers social value and creates lasting legacies.
The NHBC has announced that Paul Turner will succeed Steve Wood as Chief Executive Officer of the NHBC from 1 September 2025.
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