In light of the new Government, Should We Revisit the Place and Making Institute but on a Regional Scale?

The recent UK government budget has placed a strong emphasis on jobs, growth, skills, and the critical challenge of building houses and infrastructure. This focus aligns perfectly with the concept of regional Institutes of Place and Making, which aim to provide comprehensive education and training in the built environment sector. These institutes, initially considered for East London, represent a transformative approach to addressing the housing crisis by equipping a diverse and skilled workforce with the necessary tools to drive regional economic development. By integrating practical learning with inclusive recruitment strategies, these institutes can help fulfil the budget’s ambitious goals, fostering sustainable communities and economic prosperity across the UK.

While the Institutes of Place and Making may not be the definitive solution, they present a significant opportunity to address the intertwined issues of housing, skills, and economic growth. The concept, which stalled due to initial challenges, deserves renewed consideration in light of the current focus on these critical areas. This approach could catalyse a national debate on how best to integrate education, skills development, and housing to create thriving, sustainable communities. By revisiting and potentially expanding this initiative on a regional scale, we can explore innovative ways to meet the UK’s housing needs while simultaneously boosting economic growth and social mobility

The UK government estimates that 300,000 new homes are needed per year to address the housing crisis. Over the next 20 years, this translates to a total of 6 million new homes. In Liverpool, at the National Housing Confederation, speaker after speaker emphasised the incredible challenges we face in the UK around building homes. And at the Labour Party’s Annual Conference in the city, the Deputy Prime Minister hinted at a major social housing announcement coming in next month’s spending review. Conversations on these themes are happing in Yorkshire, the South West, and the Midlands as our clients focus on issues around skills and training, the shortage of planners and tradespeople, and how regeneration can unlock regional economies and provide opportunities for our most deprived communities.

What was clear from all these conversations was how interlinked these issues are. As Amanda Newton, Chief Executive at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, put it, “we need a national debate, not about housing, but about regeneration.” Amanda nailed it because regeneration isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about communities, jobs, skills, aspiration, and well-being. It’s a critical shift in focus from merely building houses to regenerating entire communities.

The need for this national debate has never been more pressing. As we grapple with the challenge of building not just homes but thriving communities, it’s clear that this issue is intrinsically linked to regional economic development and the skills agenda. Addressing the housing crisis requires a multifaceted approach that includes training a diverse and skilled workforce not only in building, roofing, and plumbing but also in planning, engineering, and sustainability jobs that might not exist yet but will be essential.

A lot of the homes we need—well-built, sustainable, and community-creating—are required in parts of the UK that also need jobs, skills, and opportunities. This reminded me of a project from a couple of years ago that struck me as a phenomenal concept that could make a real difference: the Institute of Place and Making, planned for East London. Despite initial enthusiasm, coordination, funding, and then Covid hindered its progress. But the concept has always stuck with me, and in recent months, I’ve been thinking about whether a regional approach might be more effective.

Why?

The UK construction industry is projected to require 350,000 new roles by 2028. We are going to be a mile off, and that is before considering the shortage of planners, engineers, and other professions and trades that support the sector. Establishing regional Institutes of Place and Making could serve as a catalyst for transformation, providing young people with valuable job opportunities, particularly in areas where social housing is most needed. They could drive regional economic growth, enhance social mobility, and ensure that our efforts in housing and regeneration are sustainable and inclusive.

What is in it for the Housing Sector?

Housing associations can play a pivotal role in the success of regional Institutes of Place and Making. These organisations are deeply embedded in local communities and have a strong understanding of regional housing needs. By partnering with these institutes, housing associations can help shape training programs to ensure they meet the specific requirements of the housing sector. They can also provide practical training opportunities, such as apprenticeships and internships within their housing projects, enhancing the relevance and quality of training. This collaboration ensures a steady supply of skilled workers who can maintain and develop housing stock, leading to long-term cost savings and improved service delivery.

Housebuilders also have compelling reasons to get involved. By partnering with these institutes, housebuilders can help shape the curriculum to ensure it meets industry needs, thereby creating a pipeline of well-trained professionals. This initiative-taking approach helps address the skills gap and ensures a steady supply of qualified workers for future projects. Involvement in technical colleges can stimulate local economies by creating jobs and providing training opportunities for residents, leading to a more robust and resilient local economy.

Furthermore, regional Institutes of Place and Making can significantly increase the diversity of the built environment sector workforce. By implementing inclusive recruitment strategies and offering scholarships and bursaries for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students, these institutes can remove financial and social barriers to education. This can attract a more diverse student body, including individuals from minority groups, rural areas, and disadvantaged communities. Additionally, by creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment, these institutes can ensure that all students feel welcome and valued, promoting retention and success. This diversity can bring a range of perspectives and ideas to the sector, driving innovation and ensuring that the built environment reflects the needs and aspirations of all communities.

What is in it for the Government?

The benefits of regional Institutes of Place and Making extend to the UK government, which stands to gain significantly from such initiatives. These institutes can stimulate economic growth by creating a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the construction and built environment sector. This can lead to increased productivity and competitiveness in the global market. Additionally, the institutes can generate thousands of jobs, both directly within the educational institutions and indirectly through the increased demand for construction and related services, significantly reducing unemployment rates and supporting local economies.

For a new government, supporting these initiatives can demonstrate a commitment to addressing critical issues such as housing shortages, unemployment, and regional disparities. By investing in education and training, the government can foster economic growth, create jobs, and enhance social mobility. This can lead to positive outcomes for both the economy and society, strengthening the government’s position and public support.

What is in it for Young People?

For young people, these institutes offer access to high-quality education and training that prepares them for well-paying jobs in the construction and built environment sector. The focus on practical, direct learning ensures that students acquire skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace, enhancing their employability and job readiness. Partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders can provide students with valuable networking opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships, helping them build professional connections and gain real-world experience.

This integrated approach can also enhance the attractiveness of careers in the built environment sector. By offering clear and accessible pathways to professional development, regional institutes can attract a diverse range of students, including those who might not have considered a career in this field. This can help address the sector’s diversity challenges and ensure a more inclusive and representative workforce.

What is in it for the Education System?

Integrating apprenticeships and higher education into the regional Institutes of Place and Making can create a comprehensive training pathway for individuals entering the built environment sector. Apprenticeships offer direct experience and practical skills, while higher education provides theoretical knowledge and critical thinking abilities. This combination can produce well-rounded professionals who are ready to tackle the challenges of modern urban development.

Technical colleges often serve as hubs for innovation and research. By collaborating with these institutions, housebuilders and other industry stakeholders can gain access to the latest technologies and practices in the construction industry. This can help them stay competitive and adopt new methods that improve efficiency and sustainability. Co-locating students from diverse disciplines fosters a collaborative and innovative learning environment, encouraging interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving.

What is in it for Communities?

Establishing regional Institutes of Place and Making can create jobs and provide holistic training opportunities for individuals in the built environment sector. By offering a combination of theoretical and practical training, these institutes can produce skilled professionals who are ready to contribute to the development of sustainable and innovative urban areas. This approach can also help address regional disparities in skills and employment, promoting economic growth and social inclusion.

The creation of these institutes could generate thousands of jobs, both directly within the educational institutions and indirectly through the increased demand for construction and related services. This can have a significant positive impact on local economies, supporting businesses and communities across the UK. Co-locating students from diverse disciplines such as planning, architecture, engineering, plumbing, building, roofing, and sustainability can foster a collaborative and innovative learning environment.

They could also play a crucial role in supporting and tackling deprived communities, particularly in areas with low employment and educational attainment. By providing accessible education and training opportunities, these institutes can equip individuals with the skills needed to secure well-paying jobs in the built environment sector. This can lead to increased employment rates and economic stability within these communities. Additionally, the institutes can offer targeted outreach and recruitment programs to engage residents, ensuring that those who are most in need of these opportunities are aware of and can access them. By fostering a culture of learning and development, these institutes can help raise educational attainment levels, providing a pathway out of poverty and towards a more prosperous future.

The Role in Regional Economies

Regional Institutes of Place and Making can drive regional economic growth by creating a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the construction and built environment sector. This can lead to increased productivity and competitiveness in the global market. Additionally, the institutes can generate thousands of jobs, both directly within the educational institutions and indirectly through the increased demand for construction and related services, significantly reducing unemployment rates and supporting local economies.

Funding for regional Institutes of Place and Making can come from a variety of sources, including government grants, private sector investment, and public-private partnerships. Specific funding mechanisms could include the New Homes Bonus, Section 106 agreements, and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Additionally, government funding for adult education and vocational training could be leveraged to support the programs offered at these campuses.

Support for New Towns

The new Government is committed to developing a new generation of new towns as part of its strategy to address the housing crisis and stimulate economic growth. The New Towns Taskforce, established in 2024, aims to create large-scale communities with at least 10,000 homes each. These new towns are intended to be well-connected, well-designed, sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live. The government plans to ensure ambitious standards through a “New Towns Code” and aims for 40% of the new homes to be affordable, focusing on social rented homes1.

Institutes of Place and Making could underpin the nation’s ability to deliver and support the development of new towns where people aspire to live, raising standards and providing opportunities and aspirations in employment. By training more professionals in the built environment sector, the government could accelerate the construction of new homes, helping to meet its target.

Locating an Institute of Place and Making near a proposed new town can significantly enhance its development and contribute to creating a sustainable community. By providing a steady supply of skilled professionals, including planners, architects, engineers, and tradespeople, the institute ensures that the town is built to high standards and meets development targets efficiently. The institute can also foster innovation and best practices in sustainable building, while creating local employment opportunities that boost the economy and reduce unemployment rates.

The institute can play a crucial role in supporting and tackling deprived communities, particularly in areas with low employment and educational attainment. By offering accessible education and training opportunities, it equips individuals with the skills needed to secure well-paying jobs in the built environment sector. This not only increases employment rates but also raises educational attainment levels, providing a pathway out of poverty. Additionally, the institute can implement inclusive recruitment strategies and offer scholarships to attract a diverse student body, enhancing the diversity of the built environment sector workforce.

Furthermore, the institute can support the development of new towns where people aspire to live by raising standards and providing opportunities and aspirations in employment. By training more professionals in the built environment sector, the government can accelerate the construction of new homes, helping to meet housing targets and improve living conditions. The institute’s focus on sustainable practices and innovation can support the government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions, while also enhancing social mobility by providing accessible education and training opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds. This comprehensive approach ensures that the benefits of new town development are shared equitably among all residents, creating vibrant, resilient, and sustainable communities.

Conclusion

Considering the Institute of Place and Making on a regional scale could provide a more effective solution to the talent and skills shortage in the built environment sector. By leveraging the strengths of housing associations, the private sector, integrating apprenticeships and higher education, and securing government support, regional institutes can create a comprehensive training pathway that meets the needs of different regions. With the right funding mechanisms and a focus on creating jobs and holistic training, these institutes can play a crucial role in addressing the housing crisis and promoting sustainable urban development in the UK. They can support the development of new towns where people aspire to live, raising standards and providing opportunities and aspirations in employment.

While the Institutes of Place and Making may not be the definitive solution, what is unequivocally clear is the urgent need for a national debate and a cohesive strategy. This is a pivotal moment to harness the collective drive and commitment to address the housing crisis, transcending the mere construction of buildings to foster vibrant, sustainable communities. The opportunity to reshape our approach to housing and regeneration is now, and it demands bold, innovative thinking and decisive action.