This follows a 5% drop from the year before. Protrade estimates that 28,652 people are expected to join construction apprenticeships by 2030.

As a result, a sharp rise in construction apprenticeships may be needed to support growth in the sector.

Report: State of Construction Apprenticeships in 2025

Key Findings 

• 2,420 new female apprentices joined the sector in 2023/2024 – an increase of 7% from 2022/202
• 1.4% decline in new construction apprentices joining the industry in 2023/24, with 24,230 individuals enrolling in new courses, down from 24,530 the previous year
• The North West of England (4,040) has the highest number of new apprenticeship enrolments in 2023/24.
• London (1,930) ranks last for construction apprenticeship enrolments in 2023/24.
• Apprentices from ethnic backgrounds increased by 1% compared with 2022/23, with 1,900 new learners from diverse communities, representing a 57% increase since 2018/19.

A 1.7% decrease in UK uptake presents a second year of stagnation for construction apprenticeships

Protrade’s 2025 State of Construction Report has revealed that interest in construction is waning for a second year in a row, with a 1.4% decrease in new apprentices over the last year. 2023/2024 figures now represent a 14% decline since the 21/22 peak of 26,060 people beginning a construction apprenticeship, demonstrating that the post-Covid uptick in new admissions to the industry is officially over.

While 2023/24’s figures haven’t reached the pit seen in 2020/21 (19,960), the current numbers are nowhere near the amount needed to improve the 250,000-worker shortfall to complete the UK government’s plans.