February 11, 2026 - 190 views
Aspiring construction apprentices across North Wales are set to benefit from a new wave of entry-level training opportunities, as Wales introduces new Level 2 construction apprenticeship pathways aimed at tackling long-standing skills shortages in the industry.
The new apprenticeships, which will become available later this year, will cover bricklaying, site carpentry, scaffolding and building maintenance. They are being introduced by Medr, the Commission for Tertiary Education and Research, following funding from the Welsh Government and extensive engagement with employers, training providers and learners.
For North Wales, where the construction sector plays a vital role in housing delivery, infrastructure projects and the retrofit of older homes, the move is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the local workforce. Builders across counties such as Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Flintshire have repeatedly warned of difficulties recruiting skilled trades, particularly as demand grows for new housing and energy-efficient upgrades.
Until now, construction apprenticeships in Wales have largely begun at Level 3, which some learners found difficult to access. The introduction of Level 2 routes is designed to widen participation, giving school leavers and career changers a more accessible pathway into well-paid, long-term employment.
The new frameworks have been developed in collaboration with Qualifications Wales and will be supported by updated qualifications delivered through awarding bodies such as City & Guilds. Further education colleges across North Wales, including Coleg Llandrillo, Coleg Menai and Coleg Cambria, are expected to play a key role in delivering the training locally.
The announcement follows confirmation earlier this week that the Welsh Government has met its target of delivering 100,000 apprenticeships over the past four years.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant visited a construction firm in south Wales to meet apprentices currently learning their trade. Speaking afterwards, he said construction remained a cornerstone of the Welsh economy and a sector where apprenticeships have a proven track record.
He said the new Level 2 pathways would help strengthen the skills pipeline needed to meet housing, construction and retrofit ambitions, adding that there was clear demand from both learners and employers for more flexible entry routes into the industry.
Medr’s Chief Executive, James Owen, said the new apprenticeships would provide an accessible route into sustainable construction careers while supporting the development of a more flexible and joined-up tertiary education system.
Industry bodies have also welcomed the move. The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said small and medium-sized firms — which dominate the construction sector in North Wales — train the vast majority of apprentices and would benefit from greater flexibility in apprenticeship pathways.
Ifan Glyn, the FMB’s Wales Director, said the changes reflected concerns raised by local builders and would help address growing skills shortages across the region.
Construction apprenticeships are seen as particularly important in North Wales, where many communities rely on local firms for employment and where investment in housing, regeneration and green retrofit is expected to increase over the coming years.
With the new Level 2 pathways in place, industry leaders say the region will be better positioned to train the next generation of skilled tradespeople — supporting local jobs, businesses and long-term economic growth.
