Ahead of today’s Spring Statement, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the government will train up to 60,000 more “engineers, brickies, sparkies and chippies” by spending north of £600m over the next four years.

The government has pledged to build 10 new technical excellence colleges, launch new foundation apprenticeships and fund 40,000 more industry placements each year in a bid to tackle the country’s crippling skills shortage.

Skills bootcamps will also be expanded, with £100m earmarked to support new entrants, returners and those hoping to upskill within the industry.

The move has been welcomed by construction bosses in the east of England, where two thirds of employers face challenges hiring skilled workers.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves (Image: Stefan Rousseau) Industry leaders say the current talent pool lacks the qualifications, skills and training required for certain jobs, leading to an aging workforce.

More than a third of the region's engineering construction labour force are now over 50, while just one in six are under 30, according to the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB).

READ MORE: Skills shortage in region could leave one........

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