Learning at Work Week: ECITB stresses importance of upskilling in magazine feature

To mark Learning at Work Week 2026 from 18-24 May, ECITB Director of Learning and Assurance Chris Mann wrote a guest blog for Operations Engineer Magazine discussing why lifelong learning is critical to tackling future labour shortages.

In the feature, Chris highlights that amid the Government’s ambitions around infrastructure and making Britain a clean energy superpower, there is more focus than ever on skills and training in the engineering construction industry (ECI).

He stresses that with 14.7% of the ECI workforce aged over 60, the focus is often on attracting new entrants to ensure industry has the skilled workers needed to meet growing demand – a priority area of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) new Leading Industry Learning strategy.

However, Chris said: “New entrants at the start of their career journeys do not possess the level of skills needed to help fill middle-ranking in-demand roles in trades such as mechanical fitters, electrical technicians, project managers and controllers, pipefitters, welders and design technicians.

“To meet this demand, it is vital that we upskill and retrain the existing workforce, as well as reskill workers joining from outside the ECI, to help fill these roles and ensure industry is not left with a ‘missing middle’.

“At a time when skills are at the forefront of ensuring industry can meet demand, the role of CPD (continuing professional development) has never been more vital.”