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A former Yorkshire tradesman is calling on skilled workers across the North of England to consider retraining as Further Education (FE) lecturers, as the region faces a major shortage of construction professionals.
With construction booming across the North - from housing developments and infrastructure upgrades to major regeneration projects - colleges are under growing pressure to train the next generation of workers. New data shows that Yorkshire and the Humber is set to outpace UK-wide construction growth over the next five years, intensifying the need for experienced FE teachers who can pass on essential practical skills.
According to the CITB Construction Skills Network, the region will require around 17,800 additional workers by 2027, averaging 3,560 recruits per year. Key trades such as bricklaying, electrical installation, and mechanical roles remain among the hardest to fill, contributing to tender price inflation expected to rise 3.5% annually beyond 2026. Across the North of England more broadly, employers continue to report persistent shortages in technical and vocational roles - a trend that risks slowing major regional growth plans.
One person helping to tackle this challenge is Peter Face, a former painter and decorator from Yorkshire who retrained as an FE lecturer. In addition to being a White-Water kayak coach and Brass-Bander, he now teaches Painting & Decorating at Craven College in Skipton, a superb FE college that sits proudly at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. From its campus overlooking the hills, the college trains learners from across Craven, Airedale, Wharfedale, and the wider North Yorkshire area - regions where construction and traditional trades remain deeply woven into community life. Whether restoring stone cottages in the Dales, working on Skipton’s growing housing developments, or supporting regeneration in Keighley and Bradford, Peter’s students are preparing to step straight into the workforce that keeps this part of Yorkshire thriving.
Peter says he wishes he’d made the switch sooner: “For a long time, I hesitated to move into FE teaching because I worried my dyslexia would hold me back. But the support I received as I trained helped me overcome those fears, and now I wish I’d made the transition sooner,” he said.
“Sharing my industry experience is incredibly rewarding. There’s a real sense of purpose in helping students build their skills and confidence, knowing we’re working together to build brighter futures for the construction industry.
"We need more industry professionals with hands-on experience to teach in FE. By sharing your skills, you’re not just shaping the next generation - you’re supporting the sector as it grows.”
Peter completed his teacher training degree at the University of Huddersfield alongside his college role. Like many in FE, he entered teaching without prior qualifications, training on the job while earning and receiving strong support from his colleagues.
Across the North, FE colleges play a crucial role in developing the region’s workforce, particularly in technical fields - and clearly, demand for FE teachers rises as construction growth accelerates. Nationwide, there are an estimated 80,500 FE teaching staff, yet demand continues to rise. In Yorkshire and the Humber alone, over 400 FE teaching vacancies are currently advertised, with the largest gaps in construction, engineering, and other vocational subjects.
Colleges such as Craven College train students in a wide range of building and engineering trades, from Carpentry and Electrical Installation to Plumbing, Masonry, and Construction. Industry-experienced teachers are particularly valued because they can bring real-life, practical expertise to the classroom - something that employers repeatedly say is essential for preparing students for modern work environments.
The North’s major investment pipeline - including upgrades to transport corridors, new housing, green energy initiatives, and town-centre regeneration schemes - means the demand for skilled workers will only increase. FE teachers will be critical to ensuring the region’s talent pipeline keeps pace.
Peter hopes that as the Demand for FE teachers rises with the construction growth acceleration, his story will encourage more skilled tradespeople to consider stepping into the classroom.
“Whether you’ve worked on sites for decades or recently completed an apprenticeship, your experience is hugely valuable,” he said. “If you’ve ever thought about teaching, even for a moment, I’d say take the step. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.”
Trade in the site for the classroom?
People interested in becoming an FE teacher can explore routes into the profession - including how to train on the job HERE
