ECITB Strategy 2026-2030

The ECITB’s new strategy, Leading Industry Learning, will help attract, develop and qualify a diverse talent pool, upskill the current workforce and develop the skills needed for the delivery of critical infrastructure projects, energy security and net zero ambitions.

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ECITB vision: A world-class engineering construction workforce that delivers vital infrastructure and powers net zero

Supporting industry growth

The ECITB strategy, Leading Industry Learning, sets out a five-year plan, from 2026-30.

The plan reflects the real needs and evolving priorities of the sector and is shaped by insights from employers, training providers, asset owners, the government, trade unions, and industry bodies.

Tackling skills shortages

The ECITB forecasts 40,000 additional workers could be needed for major projects, including those related to net zero, by 2030, placing employers in direct competition for labour from £531bn of infrastructure projects in the wider UK economy. The priorities in the strategy aim to help industry tackle this looming workforce and skills crisis.

Preparing for a boom in project activity

The 2026-30 strategy aims to help industry meet the workforce volume challenge and prepare for a boom in project activity for engineering construction employers.

These projects span a range of sectors including nuclear new build and decommissioning, renewables, oil and gas, water treatment and food and drink. They will also include hydrogen and carbon capture projects linked to the decarbonisation of the industrial clusters, which are at the heart of the country’s net zero plans.

ECITB strategy shaped by industry

The ECITB strategy is the culmination of 12 months’ work and extensive consultation with employers, training providers, clients and government representatives. This includes ten strategy workshops hosted across England, Scotland and Wales throughout Spring 2025. Our events in the North of England were jointly delivered with the ECIA, and we extend our thanks again for the association’s support in these.

The open workshops were supplemented by roundtables with specific audiences, including nuclear stakeholders, and an online survey. The feedback gathered through the consultation process was invaluable and is reflected in the final strategy.

In the past, we got by competing against each other when it made no sense. Now we have a changed industry – either we succeed together, or we fail alone.

Employer comment at ECITB strategy consultation event

I look at the project pipeline and think great if it comes off. Then I think where are all the people going to come from.

Employer comment at ECITB strategy consultation event

I can look back on our history with pride. I want to look forward to our future with optimism.

Employer comment at ECITB strategy consultation event

We have a project before people mindset in this country. We need a people before project mindset.

Employer comment at ECITB strategy consultation event

ECITB National Forum Presentation Front Cover Image Of A Welder At Work

Shaping future skills in engineering construction

ECITB strategy built on three key pillars

The strategy will support employers and deliver quality training products and qualifications that meet industry needs, as well as robust labour market intelligence to enable better workforce planning.

It will seek to grow the number of new entrants joining the industry and help employers access a broader, more diverse talent pool. We will also focus on workforce retention, supporting upskilling, reskilling and competence assurance.

And it will transform skills through strategic investment in regional hubs, harnessing new technologies, modular and blended learning and driving a collaborative approach.

Download the ECITB Leading Industry Learning Strategy 2026-2030

ECITB levy consensus

The ECITB will present further detail of the new strategy along with levy proposals for the 2025 levy consensus at a series of Regional Forums throughout October. All levy paying employers are invited to participate in the formal consultation process on the Board’s levy proposals.

“The engineering construction industry and its supply chain companies engineer, project manage and install much of the critical infrastructure required across Great Britain. It ensures the economy has energy security, clean water, food and drink and the everyday products that we all rely on.

“The industry is critical to providing all of these in a sustainable way as we aim to meet the UK’s energy transition ambitions.

“The ECITB’s new strategy sets out how the ECITB will rise to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and fast-changing external environment and deliver positive, long-term outcomes for our levy payers, the wider workforce and the country.

“Our approach aligns with the UK Government’s mission-driven focus—particularly its goal to transition to clean power and stimulate sustainable economic growth in doing so.

“Moving to a five-year strategy cycle reflects our determination to drive long-term outcomes through significant interventions that can deliver lasting impact.

Lynda Armstrong OBE

Chair of the ECITB Board

“Our mission to lead industry learning has never been more important than it is now.

“Achieving the outcomes from this strategy will require collaboration and commitment well beyond the ECITB alone.

“We will continue to support our employers through grant funding for mission-critical training. At the same time, we will build upon investments like our Regional Skills Hub funding to address systemic and structural challenges facing the engineering construction industry.

Andrew Hockey

CEO of the ECITB