AUDIO NEWS: Construction apprenticeships grow by 1.2% and 78% of van drivers get abuse on the road

Construction apprenticeships grow by 1.2% in 2024/25, van drivers are regularly abused by other road users and construction material prices double over the last 20 years

The number of people entering construction apprenticeships has grown for the first time since 2021.

Figures from Protrade, indicate 24,590 people started construction apprenticeships in the 2024/25 academic year — an increase of 1.5%.

The figures also showed a 9% leap in the number of females entering construction apprenticeships.

Despite the improving figures, the number of new starters is still significantly short of the level required to meet long-term industry demand.

According to the CITB, the industry needs another 240,000 construction workers by 2030 to keep pace with construction targets.

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Van drivers are being unfairly targeted by other road users, claims research from Peugeot.

The survey from the auto-manufacturer found that 78% of van drivers experienced negative behaviour, simply because they drive a van.

The poll of 1,000 van drivers found that over half had been sworn at, and a similar number had been cut up on the road.

Over a quarter had also been threatened with violence.

Nicola Dobson, managing director for Peugeot UK said it was time for the public to re-evaluate outdated stereotypes of van drivers.

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Construction material prices have more than doubled in the last 20 years — that’s according to figures from the Department for Business and Trade.

The government price index also showed a 40% increase in materials costs since 2019, and a 3.3% bump last year.

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