The NEET challenge and construction's skills pipeline

Lancashire-based Conlon Construction has warned that a rising tide of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) — projected to grow from one in eight to one in six — could deepen an already severe skills shortage across the construction sector, unless employers, government and schools act together now.

The warning came as the company published its 2025 figures on youth engagement: 1,274 apprentice weeks and 32 work experience weeks delivered across its north west projects, alongside 26 educational activities reaching more than 1,100 students through careers fairs, site visits and school assemblies.

Guy Parker, chairman of Conlon Construction, said: "If NEET numbers rise as projected, the impact on our industry over the next five to 10 years is a severe workforce deficit.

"We'll struggle to replace retiring tradespeople, projects will slow, labour costs will rise and we risk losing legacy skills to an ageing workforce. The problem isn't that there's no want or no need, it's structural."

Guy said construction is uniquely placed to help solve the wider NEET problem precisely because it doesn't require young people to already have experience before they can get in.

He said: "Entry-level jobs increasingly demand prior experience, which traps young people in a catch-22. Construction relies on structured, on-the-job learning by design. It bypasses that barrier completely."

Conlon has taken on degree apprentices in quantity surveying this year, with a finance degree apprentice under consideration and construction management degree apprentices planned for early next year, alongside continued T Level placements and a long-standing relationship with Preston Vocational Centre.

Guy has called for a coordinated response including targeted SME incentives, funding for meaningful work placements, construction reinstated as a genuine option within school careers guidance and greater involvement from bodies such as the CITB.

He said: "Modernise vocational pathways and treat T Levels and apprenticeships as equal to academic routes, not a fallback.

"Make the opportunities sound as exciting as they are. This industry is moving towards green retrofitting, smart construction and modern methods of construction. Many of the jobs today's school leavers will do haven't been invented yet."

He added that the industry itself needs to keep its side of the bargain through proper mentoring and wellbeing support.

"Growing our own talent is the only way to protect our future and, frankly, the only way some businesses will survive the next decade.

"This is exactly why I got involved as a Lancashire Ambassador in the first place. The Ambassadors aren't just advocates for the county, we're investors in its future and nowhere is that truer than in how we bring young people into our industries. 

“Every apprentice we take on at Conlon is a vote of confidence in Lancashire's next generation and it's a commitment I know is shared right across the Ambassador group. We're united by pride in this county, but pride only counts for something if you back it up with action — making connections, sharing opportunities, and using whatever platform you have to create real impact. Tackling the NEET challenge isn't someone else's job. It's ours."