PfP Thrive responds to the CITB research

Today, CITB launched their latest Construction Workforce Outlook which highlighted that we have a need for 140,000 construction works, every year, for the next five years. 

PfP Thrive Managing Director, Tom Arey shares his thoughts. 

CITB chief executive Tim Balcon, says the industry has the capability to meet demand - but “it won’t happen overnight."

Skills shortages are already causing delays, and a lack of alignment across subcontractors, training providers, and systems is making it “really difficult to coordinate training.”

That last point struck a chord with me, as alignment is exactly what we’re working on at PfP Thrive. Our partnership model - already involving more than 30 housing associations and training boards - is designed to bring consistency, speed, and efficiency to training.

Their outlook also highlighted regional variations, with areas like London facing acute shortages. Our approach directly addresses this: a central hub at our Derby Academy supported by 20 locations across the UK, so we can deliver skills where they’re needed most.

Even as the sector pivots to modern methods of construction, one thing remains the same - we need skilled people who can deliver the homes and retrofits the UK desperately needs. That’s the mission we’re on and I hope we can attract even more partners to further align and finally make the dent in the ever-growing and concerning skills gap.