Construction sector looks to the future as skills and training partners tour digital academy

A partnership of employers and training providers from across Hull and East Yorkshire took colleagues behind the scenes to see the latest developments in digital construction tuition at a business which began as a jobbing builder nearly 150 years ago.

Sewell Group, which was founded in 1876 by Fred Sewell and his gang, now employs more than 550 people working across a variety of sectors and welcomed the Hull & East Yorkshire Local Skills Improvement Plan (HEY LSIP) to focus on the construction division, with its workforce of more than 100.

Visitors toured the company’s new Digital Construction Academy ahead of its official launch next year and were given demonstrations in how to use the latest technology by students from Winifred Holtby Academy. 

They were also briefed on why it matters, with industry experts highlighting the rocketing requirements for new talent in construction.

Hannah Crookes, Project Lead for HEY LSIP, later announced that the organisation has secured another round of government funding and is now working on delivering further forums and working groups to connect employers with providers of essential training and skills support.

Hannah said: “The funding will enable us to further engage with employers across the local area regarding their future skills needs to develop our next LSIP, which will go live in the summer of 2026. It will also support us in continuing to address the priorities of the current LSIP.”

Carla Prickett a Senior Customer Engagement Manager at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) underlined the scale of the skills challenge facing her sector.

She said: “It’s hugely significant because not only is construction an area that needs people to come into it already, but also the government is looking at building 1.5m new homes over the next four years which means another 100,000 people need to come into the  industry.

“We have got to make sure the infrastructure and the businesses, partners and key stakeholders can support the recruitment requirements to bring young people or even people from other sectors into construction.”

Fiona Gamwell, Business Support Manager at Bridlington-based Hudson Contract, said her company is “passionate about everything in construction” as it provides tax and employment law solutions to the industry.

She added: “Construction has an ageing workforce and we see that from our pay data. We need to stem losing people at the top end and bring in new entrants at the bottom end. Nothing gets done in the country without construction. 

“It’s not just the trades. There are so many other parts to it – design, the new technology that is coming through for net zero, renewables, retro fit. There are so many opportunities and it will take you anywhere in the world.”

Mark Boothby, Joint Managing Director of Sewell Construction, was joined by students from Winifred Holtby Academy to demonstrate how the Digital Construction Academy combines tuition in theory and 3D modelling to show young people the importance of digital skills to traditional trades.

Mark said: “We invited the LSIP forum to the facility so we can showcase exactly what the construction industry is about and how we tackle the skills gap in the industry.”

Kian Banks, a student at Winifred Holtby Academy, told how he got to grips with the technology quickly and was able to demonstrate the equipment.

He said: “I came here last week and I enjoyed it so I came today to talk about how to use an algorithm to put the pipes in a plumbing system. Before that I wanted to be a multi skilled engineer but I found this more interesting and it’s changed what I want to do.”

Simon Banks-Cooper, Honorary Colonel of the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadet Force, said his organisation offers a talent pool which comes equipped with self-confidence, self-esteem and self-efficacy.

He added: “A lot of people don’t know about the depth and strength of experience that young people get from the ACF.  We work across every sector and only about 20% of cadets pursue careers in the military, so it is the civilian workforce that gets the benefit from the rest of them.”

Hannah added: “Sewell Construction is a remarkable example of a local business which has a long and successful history and which is focused firmly on the future. The presentations emphasised the need to develop skills in a vital sector and Sewell Construction gave us some valuable insight into what the industry will look like in the future.”