The biggest risk to FM and construction in 2026 is skills, and more importantly, how badly we are managing them.

We keep saying there is a skills shortage. Then we actively make it worse.

Recently, Construction Management published an article warning that skills and apprenticeships across construction are weakening rather than improving. For many of us working at the delivery end of the industry, this simply confirms what we are already seeing on live jobs every day.

You can read the article here:
https://constructionmanagement.co.uk/construction-leaders-warn-of-weakening-skills-and-apprenticeships/

This is why my prediction for 2026, and beyond, is that skills will become the defining issue for FM and construction unless we change course.

Experience is being pushed out – Across FM and construction, experienced tradespeople are increasingly being excluded from sites because they do not hold the right qualification. I am talking about electricians, roofers and engineers with thirty or forty years of experience who have worked their entire careers safely, now being told they are not competent because they do not have an NVQ.

Many of these qualifications did not exist when they trained. The removal of experience-based CSCS cards has closed the door on a significant part of the workforce, including many European trades who relied on that route to demonstrate competence.

Gold cards are now positioned as the benchmark, yet there is very little discussion about who is realistically going to obtain them and how, particularly when even highly experienced workers struggle to demonstrate competence in the way the system now demands.

Paper competence versus real competence

Competence is supposed to be a balance of training, knowledge and experience. Increasingly, it has become a paperwork exercise.

“I cannot get a roofer with thirty years of experience onto a commercial roof because I cannot produce training certificates that did not exist when they were trained. Meanwhile, the defect that needs fixing remains unresolved.“

We talk constantly about safety, yet we are prepared to leave real risks in place while evidence portfolios are reviewed by people who have never been on site and never carried out the work themselves. This does not make buildings safer. It makes decision-making slower and further removed from reality.

Apprenticeships without capacity – We are repeatedly told that apprenticeships are the answer to the skills shortage. As employers, we want to take people on and train them properly.

The problem is capacity. There are not enough apprenticeship places. There are not enough college courses. In many areas, colleges are under-resourced, oversubscribed or simply not offering the construction trade courses people actually need.

You can offer someone a job tomorrow, but if they cannot secure a place at college, they cannot legally be an apprentice. Without a course, there is no framework to support them and no qualification at the end. This is not a future concern. It is happening right now.

A growing gap in the workforce – The current system is creating a widening age gap across the industry. At one end, we have highly experienced workers nearing retirement who are being pushed out because they no longer meet new competency requirements. At the other end, we have young people trying to enter the industry through an apprenticeship system that cannot support them.

In the middle, there is very little.

That gap matters. Experience is how skills are passed on. If experienced people are excluded, who will train the next generation? If apprentices cannot access college courses, how do they ever reach full competence?

Last week, I wrote about what happens when experience no longer counts, focusing on grandfather rights and the unintended consequences of removing experience-based routes. That article is here:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-experience-longer-counts-grandfather-rights-cscs-sonia-murton-fdw6e

My prediction for 2026 and beyond – If we continue down this route, the skills shortage will not improve. It will accelerate.

“We will push experienced people out of the industry. We will fail to bring new people through in sufficient numbers. We will increase reliance on subcontracting and agency labour. We will introduce greater safety and delivery risks, not smaller ones”.

This is not a future problem. It is already happening.

My prediction for 2026, 2027 and 2028 is simple. Unless we rebalance how we define competence, invest properly in apprenticeship capacity and stop treating experience as optional, the skills crisis will define the next phase of FM and construction.

Sonia Murton – Founder & Managing Director, Westbury FM Limited.

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The Tomorrow’s FM Awards recognise excellence, innovation and best practice across the facilities management sector. Being shortlisted is a strong endorsement of the quality, compliance focus and practical value of the signage solutions we deliver for our clients nationwide.

Recognising Excellence in Signage Services

Westbury’s signage services support safer, more compliant and more efficient buildings. Our approach combines technical expertise, clear project management and self-delivery, ensuring clients receive signage solutions that are accurate, durable and fully aligned with regulatory requirements.

From statutory and safety signage to bespoke wayfinding and asset identification, our teams work closely with clients to understand building use, risk profiles and operational needs. This ensures signage is not only compliant but also practical and easy for occupants and visitors to understand.

About the Tomorrow’s FM Awards

The public and the wider FM community vote for the Tomorrow’s FM Awards. The awards guide for 2026 has now been published and will be distributed to over 62,000 readers shortly.

Voting is now open and runs until Monday, 9th March. Anyone can vote by selecting their winning product or service through the official public poll.

How to Vote for Westbury

Voting is quick and simple:

1. Visit the official voting page using the link below
2. Select the relevant category: Self-Delivered Signage Services – Westbury FM
3. Submit your vote

Vote here:
https://tinyurl.com/TFMAwards26

Thank You for Your Support

We want to thank our clients, partners and colleagues for their continued support. Being shortlisted reflects the hard work of our directly employed teams and our commitment to delivering compliant, high-quality services across the built environment.

If you have worked with Westbury FM or experienced our signage services first-hand, we would greatly appreciate your vote.

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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For most of my career, competence in construction meant something very simple.
You learned the job, you stayed safe, and you got better over time. That balance feels like it is slipping. As of the end of 2024, Grandfather Rights under the CSCS scheme were withdrawn. Experienced tradespeople who relied on industry accreditation can no longer renew their cards unless they hold a formal qualification, typically an NVQ.

On paper, this is about raising standards. On-site, it is creating real problems.

When 30 Years’ Experience Is Not Enough -I employ people who have been doing their jobs safely and competently for decades.As I said recently in a client conversation,  I can have someone with 30 years’ experience, but I am told they cannot come on-site. At the same time, I can send someone straight out of college with an NVQ Level 3, and they are accepted.  That is not a hypothetical scenario. It is happening now.

This is not a criticism of young people or qualifications. NVQs absolutely have their place. But treating a certificate as more valuable than decades of lived experience is a dangerous oversimplification.

Qualifications Do Not Equal Competence on Their Own – Even the Health and Safety Executive is clear. Competence is a combination of training, skills, knowledge and experience.Experience matters. It is how judgment is built. It is how risks are spotted early. It is how problems are solved when plans do not match reality. One of the most worrying aspects of this shift is how little it reflects what actually keeps people safe on site.
“This feels like tick-box compliance, not real competence.”

The Cost Is Being Pushed Down the Supply Chain – Another uncomfortable truth is who pays for this. Large clients and Tier 1 contractors set the requirements, and SMEs are left to fund the consequences.

I have had experienced roofers, people who have done the job safely for 30 years, told that they must sit additional exams, complete new training, and absorb the cost themselves. In at least one case, after all that investment, no further roofing work followed. That is not skills development. That is risk transfer.

A Policy That Collides With the Skills Shortage – At the same time, we are told the industry faces a skills crisis. We are told we need more homes, more infrastructure, and more people entering the construction industry.So I have to ask the obvious question.

“If experienced people cannot get on site, who exactly is training the next generation?”

You cannot mentor apprentices without mentors. You cannot close the skills gap by pushing skilled people out.
“This is how the world goes mad, we talk about a skills shortage, then make it harder for skilled people to work.”

What CSCS Cards Were Meant to Do – CSCS cards were designed to demonstrate health and safety awareness and a baseline level of competence. They were never intended to measure craftsmanship or decades of practical knowledge. Using them as a blunt gatekeeper, without flexibility or recognition of experience, risks undermining the very outcomes the system is meant to support.

We Need Balance, Not Extremes – This is not an argument against standards, training or qualifications. It is an argument against removing experience from the equation. If we continue down a path where paperwork outweighs judgment, and certificates outweigh capability, we will lose people we cannot easily replace.And once they leave, they are unlikely to come back. We should not be forced to choose between experience and education. The industry needs both, and policies should reflect that reality.

If we continue down a path where experience is devalued and compliance replaces competence, we risk:

• Accelerating the loss of skilled workers
• Deepening the skills gap.
• Undermining the very safety and quality these rules aim to protect.

The question isn’t whether standards matter. It’s whether we’re applying them wisely. We need:

• Hybrid routes that properly recognise experience
• Assessment models that value demonstrated competence, not just certificates
• A system that supports safety, skills retention and workforce sustainability together

If the goal is safer sites and a stronger industry, then experience must still count. Because a skills strategy that excludes skilled people is not a strategy at all.

Thanks for reading,

Sonia Murton – Managing Director, Westbury FM

References

• CSCS – Industry Accreditation (Grandfather Rights) Withdrawal: https://www.cscs.uk.com/industry-accreditation/
• CSCS – What a CSCS Card Proves: https://www.cscs.uk.com/about/what-is-a-cscs-card/
• Health and Safety Executive – Competence in Construction: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/areyou/competent.htm
• CITB – Qualifications and Standards: https://www.citb.co.uk/qualifications-standards/
• Build UK – Skills and Competency: https://www.builduk.org/priorities/skills-and-competency/
• Construction Leadership Council – Industry Skills Plan: https://www.constructionleadershipcouncil.co.uk/
• Federation of Master Builders – Skills Crisis: https://www.fmb.org.uk/resource/skills-crisis.html
• House of Lords Library – Construction Skills Shortages: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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Our recent drainage compliance case study highlights how a proactive, self-delivered approach can make a measurable difference across complex sites.

The challenge of ageing drainage infrastructure

Many estates operate with legacy drainage systems that have evolved over time. Poor records, historic alterations and ageing infrastructure can make it difficult to understand system layouts or demonstrate compliance. In the case study, the client faced recurring blockages, flooding risks and limited visibility of underground assets. There was also a clear requirement to meet regulatory obligations without disrupting site operations.

This is a common issue across healthcare, education, residential and commercial environments where drainage is often overlooked until something goes wrong.

A structured and compliant solution

Westbury was appointed to assess, stabilise and future-proof the drainage network. Our in-house drainage specialists carried out detailed surveys to identify defects, map existing infrastructure and assess compliance risks. Using CCTV inspections and condition reporting, we were able to build a clear picture of the system and prioritise remedial works.

Rather than relying on multiple subcontractors, all works were delivered by Westbury’s directly employed team. This ensured full accountability, consistent quality and clear communication throughout.

Delivering results through self-delivery

The outcome was a fully documented drainage system, reduced reactive call-outs and improved compliance confidence for the client. Planned maintenance schedules were introduced to prevent future blockages, alongside clear reporting that supports audits and statutory requirements.

By combining technical expertise with a practical understanding of live environments, Westbury delivered a solution that protected both the site and its users.

A complete drainage service under one roof

This case study reflects the wider drainage services Westbury provides across the UK. Our offering includes planned and reactive drainage maintenance, emergency response, CCTV surveys, root removal, high-pressure jetting and repairs. We also support compliance through detailed reporting and asset data that integrates into broader facilities management strategies.

Because our services are self-delivered, clients benefit from faster response times, fewer handovers and a team that understands their estate in detail.

Why clients choose Westbury for drainage

Drainage issues rarely exist in isolation. They impact health and safety, operational continuity and regulatory compliance. Westbury’s approach is built around prevention, transparency and long-term value. By identifying risks early and maintaining systems properly, we help clients avoid costly emergencies and extend the life of their assets.

If you are experiencing recurring drainage issues or need greater confidence in your compliance position, Westbury’s drainage team is ready to help.

Benefits of working with Westbury for drainage services

• Directly employed drainage engineers trained to the highest safety and technical standards
• Specialist equipment including high-pressure jetting, CCTV survey cameras and no-dig repair solutions
• Proven experience supporting commercial landlords, social housing providers and private sector clients
• 24/7 service coverage with rapid response for urgent and reactive drainage issues
• Transparent reporting with clear recommendations and photographic evidence where required.

Talk to our drainage specialists

Whether you need a one-off survey or a fully managed drainage service, Westbury can tailor a solution to your site. Get in touch to discuss how our in-house drainage expertise can support your buildings and protect your operations.

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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Awaab’s Law is here, a Landmark for Social Housing Reform
Published 27 October 2025 | Westbury FM

Why it matters

The law is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old boy from Rochdale who tragically died in December 2020 after prolonged exposure to mould in his family’s social-housing home. His death exposed systemic failures in the way serious housing hazards were reported, investigated and remedied.

In memory of Awaab and as a legacy to his family’s campaign for change, the government has introduced new legally binding time limits and duties for social landlords to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.

What the new law requires (Phase 1)

From today, social housing landlords must act with urgency when certain hazards are reported. Key requirements include:

• Emergency hazards (those posing an imminent and significant risk to occupant health or safety) must be investigated and made safe within 24 hours.
• Significant damp and mould hazards must be investigated within 10 working days of being notified. If found to pose a serious risk, the home must be made safe within 5 working days after investigation.
• Landlords must provide tenants with a written summary of the investigation within 3 working days of its completion.
• If the home cannot reasonably be made safe in the specified timeframe, the landlord must offer suitable alternative accommodation at their expense.
• Landlords must take into account the situation of vulnerable households (such as those with young children, disabilities or health conditions) when assessing risk and urgency.

The law applies to social housing tenancies, local authority homes and registered providers of social housing, right now. Private rented properties will be brought under scope in later phases.

What’s next & broader implications

Phase 1 focuses on the most urgent hazards (emergency risks, damp & mould). According to the published guidance and regulatory commentary:

• Phase 2 (from 2026) will extend to other hazards under the housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS), including excess cold/heat, fire, and electrical hazards.
• Phase 3 (2027 and beyond) will cover the remaining significant hazards in social housing (excluding overcrowding).
• The introduction of Awaab’s Law also serves as an indicator of the government’s heightened scrutiny of social housing standards. It will likely drive stronger enforcement, improved tenant-landlord communication and demand for better maintenance systems across the sector.

What this means for tenants & landlords

For tenants:

• If you live in social housing and you report damp, mould or another serious hazard, you now have a legal right to prompt investigation and action.
• Keep a record: date the hazard was reported, any correspondence, and photos if safe to do so This will help if you need to escalate.
• If your landlord fails to act within the new timeframes, you may have grounds for complaint or legal action under the new regime.

For landlords (social housing providers):

• Review and update repair-and-maintenance policies, risk assessment processes and communication workflows to meet the new deadlines.
• Make sure system-wide readiness: staff training, contractor arrangements, clear internal escalation routes for hazards, and careful record-keeping.
• Longer term: prepare for the broader obligations coming in Phases 2 and 3, and consider how to integrate those into asset-management planning.

A final reflection

Today represents a crucial milestone for social housing in England. Awaab’s Law sends a clear message: a decent, safe home is not a bonus, it’s a right. The tragedy of Awaab Ishak lives on not only in memory but in reform aimed at protecting millions of tenants across the country.

As the protections come into force, vigilance, transparency, and accountability will be more important than ever. For tenants who continue to live in unsafe conditions, hope lies in these new legal duties; for landlords, the law is a call to match expectations with action.

At Westbury FM, we will continue to monitor how the law is implemented and update you on its impact locally and nationally.

If you or someone you know is living in social housing and experiencing serious damp, mould or other hazardous conditions, don’t hesitate to seek advice or support. This law exists to give you a stronger voice.

References

1. The Guardian – Social landlords in England now forced to fix emergencies within 24 hours
2. The Independent – Awaab’s Law: Renters’ Rights Bill and air quality reforms
3. National Housing Federation – Awaab’s Law guidance
4. Trowers & Hamlins – Phase 1 of Awaab’s Law takes effect on 27 October 2025
5. Shelter England – How Awaab’s Law changes the rules on hazards in social housing
6. Ramsdens Solicitors – Renters’ Rights Bill and Awaab’s Law
7. Procurement for Housing – Awaab’s Law requirements and deadlines: The complete breakdown
8. Shakespeare Martineau – Are you ready for Awaab’s Law?
9. Clyde & Co – The introduction of Awaab’s Law in October 2025
10. Scottish Housing News – Implementation concerns raised as Awaab’s Law comes into force in England
11. Ideal Home – Awaab’s Law explained: your rights as a renter and landlord
12. The Guardian – Delay to Awaab’s Law puts lives of social housing tenants at risk, warns Shelter

🔔 Follow Westbury FM on Linkedin for regular industry news & updates, or Contact Us here.

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