A new national campaign, ‘Built to Inspire’, has been launched by the Department for Education’s Teach in Further Education (FE) and Skills for Life campaigns, aiming to raise awareness of construction careers and address ongoing skills shortages in the sector.

The initiative includes the installation of large-scale murals in London and Manchester, celebrating some of England’s most recognisable buildings alongside the people who design, build and maintain them.

Skills shortage remains a key challenge

The campaign comes as the construction industry continues to face significant workforce pressures. According to Office for National Statistics data, there are more than 35,000 vacancies across the sector, with over half unfilled due to a lack of qualified workers.

New research released as part of the campaign shows that 93% of adults believe construction is vital to improving life in England, highlighting the sector’s role in delivering housing, infrastructure and community assets.

Focus on careers, teaching and training pathways

Built to Inspire calls on young people and career changers to consider construction careers, including apprenticeships, T Levels and Skills Bootcamps. It also encourages experienced construction professionals to bring their industry knowledge into further education teaching.

Employers are being asked to support training and skills development to help build long-term capacity across the industry.

Murals celebrate construction professionals and educators

The murals in London and Manchester showcase construction workers, further education teachers and learners, as well as iconic landmarks such as Battersea Power Station, Blackpool Tower and The Gherkin.

The campaign aims to increase visibility of construction careers while recognising the contribution of educators and employers in developing future talent.

Further information and engagement

The Built to Inspire campaign forms part of wider government efforts to support skills development across construction and the built environment. Information on careers, training routes and further education teaching opportunities is available through the Skills for Life and Teach in Further Education campaigns.