Background
The Government consulted on proposals for new Post-16 Occupational Certificates in construction, designed to provide a classroom-based route for 16 to 19-year-olds into skilled occupations. The consultation sought views on which occupational standards should be included, how qualifications should be structured, the content students should learn and how attainment should be assessed.
The proposals form part of wider reforms to technical education and aim to create clearer vocational pathways into employment. The Government intends Occupational Certificates to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into work, apprenticeships or further training.
The FMB's response focuses on ensuring that any new qualifications reflect the realities of the construction industry. It argues that employers must remain central to qualification design, that qualifications should equip students with practical workplace skills and behaviours, and that lessons should be learned from previous reforms such as construction T Levels.
Executive summary
-
The FMB welcomes the review but believes Occupational Certificates must be designed around employer needs and inspire young people to pursue careers in construction.
-
Greater industry engagement is essential throughout the development process, particularly given concerns about the limited consultation period and lessons from previous reforms such as construction T Levels.
-
Additional occupational standards should be considered, including roofing, heritage skills and airtightness, reflecting both industry demand and future building requirements.
-
Qualification content should focus on entry-level occupational competence and avoid including highly specialised skills that are more appropriate for advanced qualifications or apprenticeships.
-
Core content should be based on common knowledge, skills and behaviours across construction occupations, while placing greater emphasis on employability, communication, teamwork, reliability and professionalism.
-
Students should develop a realistic understanding of construction careers, including site working conditions, health and safety responsibilities, different business types and customer-facing skills.
-
Qualifications should include knowledge of retrofit, sustainability, ventilation, airtightness, waste management, recycling and building regulations to reflect the future needs of the industry.
-
Young people entering employment should have a strong grounding in practical workplace skills, including health and safety, first aid, financial literacy, mental health awareness, communication, timekeeping and interpreting technical drawings.
-
Assessment should be simple and consistent across qualifications, with competency remaining the primary focus for employers.
-
Attendance, punctuality, commitment and attitude should be recognised as important indicators of workplace readiness alongside technical achievement.
-
The Government should consider successful employer-led training models, including Build Academy, which combines practical multi-trade training, employability skills and direct pathways into employment.
-
Employers should remain at the heart of future qualification design and implementation to ensure training reflects the realities of modern construction careers.
