CHC calls for a construction skills strategy to tackle Wales' NEET crisis

New CHC analysis has found that the number of young people classified as not in employment, training or education (NEET) in Wales has risen to its highest level since 2013. 

Welsh Government data shows that the number of young people classified as NEET in Wales has risen from 38,300 in the year ending December 2024 to 56,800 in the year ending December 2025 - a significant increase of 18,500 (48.3%).

The proportion of NEET young people in Wales is now significantly higher than in any other UK nation, where numbers have remained static - 17% compared to the UK average of 13%. 

Behind these statistics are real young people, desperate to build their lives, and housing associations, anchored in their local communities, willing and able to provide opportunities not just to live, but to work. 

CHC is therefore calling on the Welsh Government to publish a National Construction Skills Strategy to align opportunities offered by housing associations with the capacity of the Further Education sector and supply chain to tackle both Wales’ NEET crisis and housing emergency head-on. 

Cian's story

Cian Halliday, a qualified engineer from Anglesey, was made redundant due to the impact of the pandemic at an early and crucial stage of his career. 

Cian is not alone here. The same CHC analysis has found North Wales has the highest rate of young people not in employment, education or training in Wales. 

Adra, a North Wales housing association, provides training and apprenticeship opportunities in construction and retrofit through its successful and highly regarded Academi Adra programme. 

After being referred to Adra’s Môn Communities Forward programme in Holyhead, Cian then spent 16 weeks on a paid work placement, dealing with void properties - refurbishing empty properties to be re-let to those in search of an affordable home. 

He was then offered an apprenticeship with Adra as a joiner, attending college once a week for three years. He has recently completed his apprenticeship and is now a trainee with the company. 

Cian said: “I thought I had my career in engineering mapped out and then as a result of Covid I found myself without a job.

“This was a scary time, but Academi Adra provided me with a lifeline and an opportunity to learn new skills in a trade that was completely new to me.

“This paved the way for a career in construction and I’m looking forward to what the future holds in the industry for me.

“Not only have I learnt new skills through on the job training and qualifications through a formal college course, but it has been a massive confidence boost for me.

“I haven’t looked back since”. 

This is just the beginning for Cian but also for Academi Adra. Over the next four years, Adra – through the Academi Adra and other employment and training initiatives, seeks to support 700 residents and local people to develop skills, delivering vocational training in sectors, like construction, where there is high demand. 

The work of Academi Adra demonstrates that housing associations and community partnerships are proving to be real engines of the Welsh economy. 

Wales needs more social homes. Despite delivering social homes at the fastest rate since 2007, the housing emergency remains stubborn. Latest statistics show that over 10,000 people remain in temporary accommodation, including 2,200 children. 

At the same time young people are crying out for opportunities to work and train in sectors which offer real growth and the chance to build a career close to home. 

Iwan Trefor Jones, Chief Executive of Adra, says:

“Academi Adra is very much one of our flagship projects and it’s going from strength to strength.

“It shows that we’re more than a social landlord.  Creating job and training opportunities to help our people to thrive is really important but there are significant benefits for the local economy, businesses and services."

Clarissa Corbisiero, Deputy Chief Executive at CHC, says:

“Investing in our homes is the best investment we can make in Wales' economic health. 

“In building 20,000 new social homes over the next four years, housing associations can deliver over 14,000 jobs per year during construction. 

“By aligning our housing goals with a bold construction skills strategy, we can turn a national emergency into a wave of opportunity for every community. 

Ending the housing emergency is more than bricks and mortar - it’s about health, jobs and opportunity."