The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has reported a strong start to its Skills Legacy programme launched in March 2025.
The initiative was created to address the shortage of apprenticeship trainers, assessors and building safety auditors across the UK.
BESA said the scheme has already attracted high interest and achieved its first graduate.
Jon Hogg from Ductbusters became the first participant to complete the training and receive the Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement.
Two further candidates are currently enrolled, with two more awaiting start dates and several others preparing to join once accepted by a provider.
Addressing shortages across training and assessment
According to BESA, the programme’s goal is to recruit 100 qualified trainers, assessors and building safety auditors.
The association said the shortage of suitably qualified professionals is preventing further education (FE) colleges from expanding apprenticeship provision.
Stuart Rattray, Head of Competence at BESA, said: “We have been hugely encouraged by the enthusiasm among members and the wider industry for this scheme.
“It already shows that employers recognise the urgency of overcoming the challenges we face when trying to plug our skills gaps.
“The critical shortage of trainers and assessors remains a major Achilles heel in our training provision and anyone helping to address this will be providing an invaluable service to future generations of engineers.”
The Manly Charitable Trust is co-sponsoring the scheme and funding the first 50 participants.
Founded in 1991 by former BESA President Graham Manly, the trust supports charities that promote opportunities for young people in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
BESA said the support would give FE providers confidence to continue delivering engineering training despite shortages in qualified personnel.
Industry response and next steps
Rattray added: “Our workforce is ageing and is already under intense pressure.
“The average age across construction-related sectors is 53 so without a dramatic increase in numbers of young people coming in, a labour force crunch is looming.
“However, simply improving recruitment will not address the fundamental problems we face.
“Unless we address the shortage of trainers and assessors who can deliver programmes, the industry will find itself unable to meet demand within a few short years.”
The programme is bringing together employers, education providers and auditors under one national framework.
Those training as building safety auditors will be assessed against the ISO 9001 management standard.
Hogg said: “I am delighted and proud to be the first graduate from this vital scheme.
“I knew immediately that this was something I wanted to do so I signed up straightaway.
“We are constantly talking about skills shortages and our collective failure to recruit enough new talent into our industry, but talk is cheap, and this is an opportunity to do something about it.
“I look forward to welcoming many more of my industry peers into the scheme and to working with our FE partners to deliver many more apprenticeships in the future.”
Training provider Brooks Kirk said it was proud to celebrate Hogg’s success.
The organisation said: “Jon’s commitment reflects the urgent need for more qualified assessors in the industry.
“The demand for skilled assessors has never been greater.
“Without them, apprentices cannot complete their qualifications and industries cannot address the pressing skills shortages holding them back.
“Jon’s achievement is just the beginning.
“With more people stepping up to train as assessors, we can ensure that businesses meet today’s challenges and thrive in the future.”
Training is delivered in a hybrid format combining online and in-person learning.
BESA is also developing a national assessor register and plans to highlight the achievements of future graduates as they complete the programme.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The Skills Legacy programme could influence sectors that rely on trained engineers for critical safety infrastructure, including fire detection, suppression and mechanical systems.
For fire protection contractors, building services engineers and safety auditors, the initiative may help reduce delays in apprenticeship qualification caused by assessor shortages.
Further education providers working in fire safety disciplines may also benefit from the funding support and structured recruitment pipeline.
The focus on building safety auditors aligns with new competence standards introduced under the Building Safety Act, reinforcing compliance requirements across the built environment.
This article was informed by information from the following source: the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA)