Vistry Group Tackles Construction Skills Gap with UK’s First Timber Frame Installer Initiative
Vistry Group, one of the UK’s leading homebuilders, has officially launched the country’s first Timber Frame Installer Programme, a landmark initiative designed to tackle the growing skills shortage in the construction sector while accelerating the transition toward modern, sustainable housebuilding.
Developed by Vistry Works, the manufacturing arm of the business, in close collaboration with Future Talent and T3 Training & Development, the programme marks a significant moment for the industry. It signals not only Vistry’s commitment to investing in people but also its determination to remain at the forefront of innovation in offsite manufacturing and sustainable construction.
A Milestone Launch Event
The programme was formally unveiled at a special Open Evening hosted at Vistry Works East Midlands, one of the company’s three advanced manufacturing facilities. This event welcomed 15 new trainees—the first cohort to join the Timber Frame Installer Programme—alongside their families and supporters, offering them an introduction to their apprenticeship journey.
Attendees were given a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the East Midlands facility, which recently expanded to include a new second production shift. The tour showcased Vistry’s end-to-end timber frame manufacturing process, underlining how automation, precision engineering, and sustainability are reshaping the way homes are built in the UK.
Guests also visited the Vistry Innovation Centre, a sector-leading space dedicated to exploring and trialling cutting-edge construction technologies. The Innovation Centre is home to the Future Works technical innovation project, a forward-looking initiative focused on driving improvements in productivity, sustainability, and design flexibility across the construction supply chain.
One of the highlights of the evening was an inspiring address by Ben Forster, a Vistry Site Manager, who shared his personal journey from Apprentice Joiner to Construction Manager. His story underscored the long-term career potential available in the industry and served as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact apprenticeships can have on both individuals and the sector.
A Dedicated Training Pathway
The Timber Frame Installer Programme will be delivered from a dedicated training site in Barnsley, with all technical training overseen by Barnsley College, a leading provider of construction apprenticeships.
Trainees will gain a blend of hands-on, practical experience and structured classroom learning, culminating in a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification. This approach ensures participants graduate not only with essential technical skills but also with the professional confidence to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
Once in the field, apprentices will be based across Vistry sites in Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Leicestershire, where they will work closely with Vistry’s own timber frame erectors and specialist subcontractors. This regionally integrated model provides trainees with invaluable exposure to live projects and practical challenges, while simultaneously strengthening local construction teams with new talent and energy.
The programme has been carefully designed to support long-term career progression, equipping participants with the tools to eventually move into supervisory or management roles. By nurturing in-house expertise, Vistry is building a sustainable skills pipeline that will help secure the future of timber frame construction in the UK.
Investing in People to Build the Future
For Danica McLean, Group People Director at Vistry Group, the Timber Frame Installer Programme represents far more than a training initiative. It is a strategic investment in both people and the industry as a whole.
“At Vistry, we know that meeting the UK’s housing targets requires not only innovation in construction, but also investment in people,” she explained. “Our new Timber Frame programme will equip colleagues with the skills and confidence to deliver modern, sustainable homes at pace, whilst creating rewarding career pathways across the business.”
Her comments highlight the dual mission of the programme: to ensure that Vistry can meet the ambitious housing targets set by government while also creating long-term, meaningful employment opportunities for a new generation of construction professionals.
Responding to Industry Challenges
The UK construction industry has long grappled with a persistent skills shortage, particularly in specialist trades. With traditional building methods often unable to meet the demands of today’s housing market, the industry has increasingly turned to modern methods of construction (MMC), including timber frame solutions, to build faster, greener, and more efficiently.
Timber frame construction, in particular, is gaining momentum as a sustainable alternative to traditional brick-and-block methods. Timber is renewable, reduces carbon emissions, and lends itself to factory precision and faster on-site assembly. However, the shortage of skilled installers has remained a significant bottleneck in scaling up its adoption.
By launching the UK’s first dedicated Timber Frame Installer Programme, Vistry is directly addressing this issue, creating a pipeline of skilled professionals who can deliver the homes of tomorrow while supporting the industry’s wider shift toward sustainable construction practices.
Partnerships That Strengthen Impact
The initiative has also been made possible through strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, including the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), the Home Builders Federation (HBF), and the Structural Timber Association (STA). These collaborations ensure that the programme remains aligned with national training standards, industry needs, and future skills strategies.
Vistry is also actively working alongside policymakers to help shape the future of training and sustainability in construction. Through these efforts, the company aims to establish itself as the UK’s leading employer in timber frame provision, setting a benchmark for others in the sector.
A Broader Commitment to Apprenticeships
The Timber Frame Installer Programme is part of Vistry’s wider investment in talent development. In September 2025 alone, the business welcomed 49 new apprentices across various programmes, including RISE trainees and Pathway graduates.
This significant intake reflects Vistry’s recognition that developing the workforce of tomorrow is essential for meeting not only immediate project demands but also the long-term transformation of the industry. By offering multiple entry points and progression routes, the company ensures it is attracting diverse talent and creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
The launch of the UK’s first Timber Frame Installer Programme is more than just a training initiative—it is a strategic response to some of the construction sector’s most pressing challenges: skills shortages, housing demand, and the need for sustainable building methods.
For trainees, the programme offers the chance to build rewarding careers in a dynamic and future-focused industry. For Vistry, it strengthens the company’s in-house expertise, secures a competitive edge in timber frame provision, and demonstrates leadership in sustainability and innovation.
Most importantly, for the wider construction industry, the programme sets a powerful precedent—showing that by combining investment in people with a commitment to modern methods of construction, it is possible to build not just more homes, but better, greener, and more resilient communities.
