Striking murals celebrating England’s most iconic landmarks and local construction heroes have appeared in London and Manchester as part of a Department for Education (DfE) initiative, ready to inspire for the new year.
Delivered by Teach in Further Education and Skills for Life campaigns, the activity supports the government’s pledge to secure England’s construction future by training an additional 60,000 construction professionals and delivering 1.5 million homes by 2029.
The campaign launches with new research that shows overwhelming public support - 93% of adults say construction is vital to improving life in England through providing better housing, transport, schools, hospitals. Yet the sector faces a major challenge – a growing skills gap.
To help future proof the industry, boosting youth engagement tops the public’s agenda, with two-thirds (66%) believing it is essential for construction’s future. This was followed by calls to attract more industry-experienced teachers, and professionals from other sectors.
The campaign calls on young people and career changers to explore construction careers, experienced workers - from engineers and electricians to carpenters and bricklayers - to bring their skills into further education (FE) teaching and employers to invest in training and future talent.
The research explored the cultural and community impact of construction projects across England:
- When it comes to distinctive architecture, The Gherkin leads the way, with 54% of adults naming it England’s most distinctive modern building. Nearly one in three (29%) chose The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead.
- For innovative engineering, The Wave in Bristol impressed half of respondents (50%). With one in four voting for Maggie’s Cancer Centre in Leeds and The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester (15% and 13% respectively).
- Among new stadiums and arenas, one in five adults (20%) are most excited to visit the newly redeveloped Olympia in London.
- While Battersea Power Station in London was voted for by one in five adults (19%) as the modern project with the most positive local impact.
London leads the way for iconic sports venues, with nearly two in three (64%) choosing Wembley, Wimbledon or the Aquatics Centre in Queen Elizabeth’s Olympic Park as England’s most iconic. While Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire - home to Bridgerton, Harry Potter, and Mission Impossible - topped the list of culturally iconic filming locations (20%), ahead of Coronation Street’s Salford set (18%) and Highclere Castle (13%).
In music, the Royal Albert Hall was the clear favourite, with nearly half (47%) voting it England’s most iconic music landmark. Childhood nostalgia remains strong, with Blackpool Tower and the Natural History Museum jointly topping the list of landmarks evoking the strongest childhood memories (18% each).
Curated by community-led arts organisations Wood Street Walls and Withington Walls, the murals appear near construction sites and colleges in London and Manchester. Created in partnership with FE teachers, learners, and employers, they celebrate the vital role construction and education play in shaping England’s future.
Rosa Wells, Chair of the National Network Institutes of Technology and Executive Dean for Sustainable Construction at University College Birmingham, features on the London mural. She explained how this project is vital to “inspire future talent and secure the workforce of tomorrow.
“Growing up, I was always fascinated by how things were made - the innovation, the precision, and the incredible skill behind it all. That passion led me into a career in manufacturing, where I collaborated with talented tradespeople across the sector.
“I reached a point where I wanted to give back and help shape the future of the industry I love. Teaching in Further Education gave me that opportunity. It’s not just about passing on technical knowledge; it’s about inspiring confidence, showing learners what’s possible, and preparing them for careers that sustain and grow our sector.”
Currently, the UK construction industry is facing its biggest skills challenge in decades.
According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, there are currently over 35,000 construction vacancies, with more than half unfilled due to a lack of qualified workers. This shortage threatens the growth of the sector.
To close the gap, there’s an urgent need to recruit and train 60,000 skilled professionals and to attract experienced tradespeople into further education teaching.
The recent Skills Reform, announced in the Autumn Budget, includes a £725 million investment to help 50,000 young people start apprenticeships, with colleges getting £570 million to train more skilled workers, and £100 million of the funding going to mayors to boost the number of places on construction courses
Phil Eves, Social Sustainability Manager at BAM Construct UK, notes that progress is being made. However, Eves emphasises that employers still have a crucial role to play.
“It’s a positive sign that more is being invested in skills and training, and as employers we can help lay solid foundations to secure the future of our industry.
“At BAM, our programme provides young people with meaningful, hands-on experience - essential for building the skills and confidence they need for successful careers. We’re proud to see them progress through apprenticeships and higher education. It’s especially rewarding to witness the ripple effect as siblings and peers are inspired to join our programme after seeing student’s success.
“By collaborating with course providers and supporting students at every stage, we’re helping to shape a skilled, adaptable workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”
With the industry at a crossroads, the campaign sends a clear message: construction is not just about building structures - it’s about building futures.
