Around half of colleges have introduced extra courses in construction, engineering, digital, health and social care in response to employer and learner demand, exclusive data from the Association of Colleges can reveal.
All four sectors are currently on the Shortage Occupation List and are key areas of focus for both the government and shadow cabinet.
However, colleges report that learner demand is outstripping the funding they have available in all four areas, resulting in waiting lists at the same time all four sectors are in desperate need of skilled workers.
A report in January from the CITB estimated that an extra 225,000 construction workers may be needed by 2027, and there will be a particular increase in engineering type roles such as civil engineering operatives and civil engineers.
