PfP Thrive launches Skills Relay to inspire the next generation of construction and housing talent

PfP Thrive, part of the UK’s leading social enterprise Places for People (PfP), today launched the Skills Relay – a nationwide challenge to tackle the UK’s construction and housing skills crisis.

With demand for qualified workers at an all-time high and a shortfall of 250,000 needed to deliver the Government’s housing and construction plans, the Skills Relay celebrates anyone with a passion for learning. It supports apprentices, trainees, and professionals looking to upskill while inspiring the next generation of skilled workers to address the sector’s growing talent gap.

A bright pink baton stars as the symbol of the challenge. It was officially unveiled at the official opening of PfP Thrive’s Skills Centre in Derby today, and will now travel across the country, visiting construction sites, colleges, and skill centres. Each handover will connect learners, employers, and training providers, making the skills challenge visible across the industry.

Tom Arey, Director at PfP Thrive, explained: "The UK’s skills shortage is a crisis for construction and housing so that's why we have launched the Skills Relay as a call to action for every organisation to step up. That includes our industry peers, the supply chain, education providers and the government, as we invite more collaboration to combat the biggest threat to our sector. 

“This baton represents knowledge, progress, and opportunity. Every apprentice and learner who takes part is helping close the skills gap and secure the future of our sector."

The initiative launches with Amplius as the first recipient of the Skills Relay baton in Derby today. Zoe Ferris is Head of Organisational Development and Engagement at Amplius, which owns and manages almost 39,500 homes, and said: "Collaboration is key to tackling the skills crisis. We are proud to take another step forward in our partnership with PfP Thrive and commit to giving more people the chance to learn, upskill, and progress their careers." 

Officially opening the building and launching the Skills Relay, MP for Derby South, Baggy Shanker, commented: “It’s a real privilege to open PfP Thrive’s Derby Skills Hub. The skills gap is one of the biggest challenges facing our economy, and this government is determined to work alongside industry to fix it. What’s happening here in Derby shows exactly how that can be done - employers, educators and local people joining together to equip the next generation with skills, grow talent and build a stronger future for our city and our country.”

PfP Thrive provides high-quality, accredited training programmes to nurture new talent and upskill existing professionals. The Skills Relay represents a collective industry effort to pass on skills, share knowledge, and engage young people at a time when apprenticeship entries are falling – down 4% for 16-year-olds, 2% for 17-year-olds, and 1% for 18-year-olds last year.

The Skills Relay offers a tangible way for the sector to unite, build capability, and inspire a new generation of construction and housing professionals.