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Almost 10,000 apply for engineering apprenticeships as demand for built environment skills grows

24 Sep, 2026

Almost 10,000 people applied for just 145 apprenticeship positions at Thames Water this year, highlighting strong demand for entry-level routes into engineering and infrastructure careers. The water company received 9,908 applications for its 2026 apprenticeship programme, with successful candidates taking up roles across engineering, project management, data, repair and maintenance, laboratory science and other technical disciplines....

Building inspector shortage bites as government steps up recruitment drive

14 Sep, 2026

A shortage of qualified building inspectors is putting pressure on the UK’s building control system, with the government stepping up efforts to recruit and train hundreds of new professionals. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has warned that there is a national shortage of Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), as demand for building control expertise grows under the new building safety regime. The shortage is particularly acute among...

Built environment salaries rise sharply as employers face talent retention challenge

01 Sep, 2026

Salaries across the UK real estate sector have risen sharply over the past year, but employers face growing pressure to offer more than competitive pay as professionals demand greater flexibility, career progression and recognition. The findings come from Macdonald & Company’s 2026 Salary, Rewards and Sentiments report , which draws on more than 12,000 salary data points and feedback from professionals across the real estate sector....

AI boom fuels surge in skilled trades demand

17 Aug, 2026

A recent labour market analysis from Randstad suggests that despite concerns around the impact that AI will have on jobs, the technology is also spurring soaring demand for skilled trade talent required to train, implement and sustain it. The roles required are increasingly highly specialised, digital-first positions. From electricians to robot technicians, digital fluency is now a prerequisite. This convergence means the skilled trades are...

Think before you post: protecting your professional reputation online

29 Jul, 2026

You've invested time in gaining professional qualifications, developing technical expertise and building a reputation for competence. But before you submit your next job application, there's one more thing worth checking – your social media. For employers recruiting building engineers and other built environment professionals, your online presence has become part of the hiring process. While your qualifications and experience...

Don't leave your CPD until the deadline: switch to mycareerpath® now

09 Jul, 2026

If your CPD record needs updating, summer is the ideal time to get back on track. Earlier this year, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) launched mycareerpath®, its new platform for recording continuing professional development (CPD). The platform is now available to all members holding a paid grade of membership (excluding Retired members), and CABE is encouraging members to use the quieter summer months to ensure...

Over half of building engineers working beyond capacity as retirement wave looms, CABE survey finds

22 Jun, 2026

More than half of UK building engineering professionals say they are working beyond capacity, while nearly a quarter plan to retire within three years, according to the latest employment survey from the Chartered Association of Building Engineers. The survey, carried out at the end of 2025 and based on 374 responses from CABE members across the UK, found that 54% of respondents are working over capacity, including 17% who described...

Government unveils £96m skills funding package to bolster construction workforce

05 Jun, 2026

The UK Government has announced a £96 million investment aimed at expanding construction skills training across England, as it seeks to address persistent labour shortages and support ambitious housebuilding and infrastructure targets. The funding package will enable colleges, training providers and employers to deliver tens of thousands of additional industry placements for learners entering construction-related courses from September...

From Apprentice to Associate Director: Joe Green on Building Control, Safety and Shaping Better Buildings

14 May, 2026

Joe Green MCABE C.Build E, Associate Director, Building Control (North) at Enevo, reflects on his journey into the profession, the challenges facing the sector under the Building Safety Act, and why practical experience and adaptability are key to a successful career in building control. Q. Have you always had an interest in construction/engineering? I’ve always been interested in how buildings work in practice, not just how they’re...

Outsmarting AI: How built environment educators are keeping learning on track

21 Apr, 2026

Universities across the UK are adapting fast to the rise of generative AI, which can now produce essays, design concepts and technical outputs in seconds. For built environment disciplines, this presents a particular challenge: degrees must demonstrate not just knowledge, but judgement, accuracy and accountability. Over-reliance on AI risks undermining those core skills. Educators are converging on a clear position: AI should support...

RICS launches pilot for new data and analytics pathway

10 Apr, 2026

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has announced a new pilot programme introducing a data, analytics and intelligence pathway to chartered surveyor status. The initiative responds to increasing demand for professionals with advanced digital and data expertise across the built and natural environment sectors. Developed in collaboration with a cross-industry working group, the pathway is part of a wider RICS pilot exploring...

Vocational qualifications focus on the skills pipeline

25 Mar, 2026

The UK government’s latest reforms to post-16 education and skills are set to reshape how young people enter the construction industry – and could play a crucial role in tackling the sector’s persistent skills shortage. With £625 million committed to construction training and a target of 60,000 additional workers, the focus is firmly on strengthening the talent pipeline. This comes at a critical time, with skills shortages accounting for...

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