02.04.2025

Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority support Government’s plan for skills change in construction

The Engineering and Building Services Skills Authority (EBSSA) has welcomed the recent announcements by the Government and the Chancellor, which aim to ensure that the construction sector has a skilled, competent workforce to deliver on vital infrastructure and housing goals, while also supporting the creation of a sustainable built environment.

At an engineering services skills forum held online on Monday 31st March — organised by Actuate UK on behalf of EBSSA — representatives from across the engineering and building services sector were briefed on the Government’s Plan for Change. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss how the sector will respond to the evolving skills landscape and contribute to the Construction Skills Mission Board.

Despite the importance of plumbers, heating, ventilation & air-condition (HVAC) engineers, electricians and other skilled engineering occupations for the future, engineering and building services are not always adequately represented in national skills policy conversations. It was agreed that stronger connections across the sector and its supply chains are essential, and EBSSA members looks forward to collaborating with Skills England and the Construction Skills Mission Board to help bridge these gaps.

Helen Yeulet, Director of Competence & Compliance, BESA; Engineering & Building Services Skills Authority joint chair, said: “This is a big moment for skills — and our sector is ready to lead. EBSSA is committed to putting engineering and building services at the heart of building a competent, future-ready workforce.”

Over the past year, organisations within engineering and building services have been widely praised for their collaborative work in developing and implementing competence frameworks. These efforts are critical to supporting UK Government ambitions in infrastructure, housing, and clean energy. They also showcase what the industry can achieve when it works together.

Key takeaways from the meeting included:

Recognition that the Government’s focus on skilled workers must encompass the entire construction and built environment sector — not solely housing.
A clear need for engagement with large parts of the engineering and building services sector that are outside the remit of CITB or ECITB.
The importance of UK-wide engagement. While skills policy is devolved, the workforce itself is not — requiring coordination with all UK nations.

EBSSA members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing these priorities and engaging more widely across the sector for input and support.

EBSSA comprises of:

Actuate UK an alliance of six leading technology, trade and professional bodies from across the UK engineering services sector:
The Building Engineering Services Association(BESA)
Building Services Research and Intelligence Association (BSRIA)
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers(CIBSE)
ECA - Electrical and Engineering Services/The Fire and Security Association
The Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA)
The Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA)

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BEAMAis the UK trade association for manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems.
The Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is the only professional body for the UK plumbing and heating industry.
MCS is a standards organisation; we create and maintain standards that allows for the certification of products, installers and their installations.
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been representing its members in the industrial and commercial insulation sector since 1957.