New training academy to tackle construction industry skills shortages

The parent company of Igloo Regeneration has announced plans to create a new academy in Derby as part of a nationwide drive to tackle the skills shortages in the construction industry.

Social enterprise Places for People has launched PfP Thrive, which will deliver tailored and comprehensive training modules for the UK housing and construction sectors.

Operating from 20 sites across the UK, PfP Thrive aims to train over 200 apprentices and over 1,000 people in technical courses in its first year.

The programme’s central hub and new academy building will be in Derby and will welcome its first apprentices from autumn 2025. 

Delivery programmes part of PFP Thrive will focus on the traditional and new skills needed by the housing sector to most effectively repair and maintain its customers’ homes, deliver its shared house building programme, meet its retrofit goals and accelerate the development of individuals – both new and longstanding – within the industry. 

Greg Reed, group chief executive at Places for People, said “This marks the next major milestone in our relentless journey of innovation and ambition in helping customers, communities and the wider sector to thrive. 

“PFP Thrive is so much more than just training provision. It’s about progress, growth and success – core values which embody our wider purpose to create and support thriving communities, and which will bring to life dynamic learning opportunities to support our industry and provide our current workforce with the quality learning they deserve. 

“We’re not just building skills, we’re building futures – for our people and the entire sector. We’re incredibly excited and this is just the beginning.” 

Tom Arey, director of PFP Thrive, said: “The housing crisis has been hanging over us for far too long, but we also have a more recent threat staring us in the face – a worsening skills shortage which is damaging our ability to deliver today and putting at risk what we know we have to deliver in the future. 

“By 2032 more than 565,000 time-served skills tradespeople will retire from the industry, leaving a gaping hole of some 50,000 electricians, 45,000 carpenters and 40,000 plumbers – just to mention three critical disciplines.

“This doesn’t even consider the skills we need to retrofit our homes and the use of new technology or innovations that are coming down the track. 

“PFP Thrive is here to tackle the industry’s growing skills shortage, preparing the next generation of ambitious professionals who are fired up and ready to grow.

“Our brand-new training academy and provider will empower people, grow skills, and shape the future of the housing industry for generations to come.”