Engineering & Building Services Skills Authority supports Government plan for skills change

April 7, 2025

The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority (EBSSA) has welcomed the recent announcements by the Government and the Chancellor, which aim to ensure that the construction sector has a skilled, competent workforce to deliver on vital infrastructure and housing goals, while also supporting the creation of a sustainable built environment.

At an engineering services skills forum held online on Monday 31st March — organised by Actuate UK on behalf of EBSSA — representatives from across the engineering and building services sector were briefed on the Government’s Plan for Change. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss how the sector will respond to the evolving skills landscape and contribute to the Construction Skills Mission Board.

Despite the importance of plumbers, heating, ventilation & air-condition (HVAC) engineers, electricians and other skilled engineering occupations for the future, engineering and building services are not always adequately represented in national skills policy conversations. It was agreed that stronger connections across the sector and its supply chains are essential, and EBSSA members looks forward to collaborating with Skills England and the Construction Skills Mission Board to help bridge these gaps.

Over the past year, organisations within engineering and building services have been widely praised for their collaborative work in developing and implementing competence frameworks. These efforts are critical to supporting UK Government ambitions in infrastructure, housing, and clean energy. They also showcase what the industry can achieve when it works together.

Key takeaways from the meeting included:

Recognition that the Government’s focus on skilled workers must encompass the entire construction and built environment sector — not solely housing.
A clear need for engagement with large parts of the engineering and building services sector that are outside the remit of CITB or ECITB.
The importance of UK-wide engagement. While skills policy is devolved, the workforce itself is not requiring coordination with all UK nations.

EBSSA members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing these priorities and engaging more widely across the sector for input and support.