Here we look at how the UK Construction industry can leverage the best in modern elearning to support the training requirements of building 1.5M new homes this parliament.
In March 2025, the UK government set out an ambitious target to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament, with the dual goals of addressing the housing crisis and stimulating economic growth.
To support this initiative, a £600 million investment has been pledged to train up to 60,000 new construction workers, focusing on roles such as bricklayers, engineers, and site managers.
Industry Training Challenges
Despite this investment, the UK construction industry faces significant challenges:
- Workforce Shortages: The Financial Times reported that this sector requires over 250,000 additional workers by 2028 to meet demand. Factors contributing to this shortage include an aging workforce, reduced apprenticeship numbers, and the impact of Brexit on labour availability.
- Skills Gap: There’s a pressing need for reskilling and upskilling, especially in green construction and digital technologies, to meet modern building standards and sustainability goals.
- Training Infrastructure: Traditional training methods may not scale efficiently to meet the rapid demand for skilled workers, necessitating more flexible and accessible training solutions.
Role of Construction eLearning Solutions
Accessible construction elearning solutions can offer a flexible approach to training workers at speed and scale, addressing many of these challenges:
- Accessibility: Online platforms allow workers to learn at their own pace and schedule, making training more accessible to a broader audience.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Digital training reduces the need for physical resources and travel, lowering costs for both providers and learners.
- Consistency: Standardised elearning modules ensure uniform training quality across different regions and organisations.
- Rapid Deployment: New courses can be developed and distributed quickly to address emerging skills needs.
Leading eLearning Providers for the Construction Sector
Bespoke eLearning Content & Platforms: Day One
Day One Technologies, a Yorkshire-based elearning company, specialises in creating bespoke digital learning solutions across a range of sectors UK-wide and globally, including to the construction sector. Their offerings include:
- Simulation Training: Immersive, real-life scenarios that enhance learner engagement and retention.
- Bespoke Content: Custom elearning development that address specific organisational needs and challenges.
- Learning Platforms: User-friendly Learning Management Systems (LMS) that facilitate efficient training delivery and tracking.
Day One have developed elearning solutions for construction companies that include NBS Chorus and Marshalls, as well as notable clients in adjacent sectors, such as BOC Industrial Gases and Thermal Fluid Solutions.
Example Project: NBS Chorus Construction Software
NBS, a provider of collaborative software for the construction industry, partnered with Day One to develop a comprehensive elearning simulation solution for their NBS Chorus platform. Recognising the complexity of construction specifications, which involve various stakeholders like architects and engineers, the training was designed to be role-specific, interactive, and immersive.
In this construction elearning example for NBS, key features of the project included:
- Role-Based Learning Paths: Seven distinct pathways ensured content relevance for different user roles.
- Interactive Simulations: Learners could practice using the software in a risk-free environment.
- Bite-Sized Modules: Twelve concise modules facilitated easier absorption of information.
- Custom LMS Integration: A bespoke Learning Management System mirrored the NBS brand, providing seamless access to training materials.
This approach not only improved user engagement but also reduced the burden on NBS’s customer support team by empowering users to become proficient independently.
Learn more about bespoke elearning development from Day One on their website.
Leaders in Ready to Go Health & Safety Courses: Virtual College
Virtual College has collaborated with various organisations in the construction industry to provide accessible and flexible elearning courses.
They are often the go-to provider of off the shelf construction health and safety courses.
Relevant low-cost training courses for this sector that Virtual College offer include:
- Working at Heights
- Asbestos Awareness
- Workplace Risk Assessments
Browse these and more CPD approved health and safety courses from Virtual College on their website.
Construction Course Specialists: 3B Training
3B Training specialises in delivering low-cost health and safety training to the construction industry. Their case studies showcase partnerships with major construction firms, providing tailored training solutions that address specific organisational needs and keep pace with this fast-changing and highly regulated working environment.
3B have worked closely with companies to develop and deliver training programs that ensure compliance with new legislation and enhance workforce competency.
Learn about in-house training and online construction courses from 3B on their website.
In Summary: eLearning Can Equip UK Construction Companies at Speed and Scale
By leveraging elearning solutions like these above, the construction industry can more effectively equip its workforce to meet the demands of the Government’s expansive housing agenda. It will allow UK construction companies to adapt to new legislation and training requirements – quickly and at scale to improve efficiency.
