Protrade‘s latest State of Construction Apprenticeships report finds that after back to back years of decline in new entrants to the construction sector, 2024/25 saw the first year of growth since the 2021/22 peak, with females now account for one in 10 apprentices.

With an increase of 1.5% on the year prior, 2024/25 has seen 24,590 new construction apprentices, in comparison to 24,230 in 2023/24.

It has also been a record year for females beginning a construction apprenticeship, with a 9% increase and a total of 2,630 new female entrants.

However, even whilst these figures seem promising, Protrade also warns there is much more to be done.

Craig Sanders, joint managing director at Protrade urges the industry needs further support for small businesses to take on construction apprentices and capitalise on the interest in green careers to attract the next generation.

“Positioning construction apprenticeships as a route into climate-positive, future-proof careers, including roles in insulation, heat pump installation and sustainable building methods, could help re-engage school leavers while directly supporting national housing and net-zero ambitions,” he says.

In addition, the industry should reverse the decline of apprenticeship uptake among 16 to 18 year olds by applying greater emphasis on career engagement within schools.

The government have made a promise to “unlock opportunities for young people across the country” in a new pilot university clearance-style scheme where near miss applicants who don’t secure their top choice apprenticeship will be redirected to similar opportunities.

Prime minister Keir Starmer says “apprenticeships give young people real experience, real prospects, and a real route into good careers.” He adds:

“But for too long young people have been held back from the opportunities they need to get on in life because of outdated assumptions about how to make it into a successful career.”

Read a recent interview with an apprentice from the Royal Horticultural Society here.

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