The UK’s largest town centre regeneration in Stockport is not only transforming the town’s built environment, but is now set to lay the foundations for a new era of inclusive growth in construction.
Against a backdrop of national labour shortages and mounting economic pressures in the industry, Stockport Council has launched a new construction skills and employment hub – the first of its kind in Greater Manchester.
The Hub will act as a front door and one‑stop shop for all contractors operating in the borough, providing a coordinated, future‑focused approach to construction skills, employment, business growth and social value.
Stockport’s £1 billion town centre regeneration continues to attract significant long-term investment, including an estimated £500 million of construction activity generated annually, the equivalent of 600 construction jobs per year, by the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) – Stockport Council’s regeneration delivery vehicle.
Capitalising on this investment, the new Hub has been designed to unlock the full social, economic and environmental potential of this unparalleled pipeline of development.
Launching on Wednesday, January 28th, the One Stockport Construction Hub, created by Stockport Council alongside Trafford College Group, local VCSFE organisations, and major construction contractors, will tackle a nationwide critical skills shortage by significantly increasing local construction employment and skills opportunities. It’ll create inclusive pathways into well‑paid, secure construction roles; support sustainable construction and accelerate the transition to greener technologies; and drive investment into local businesses and specialist providers.
The Hub links skills, employment and supply chain opportunities in the borough, ensuring residents, contractors and education partners have a clear, consistent and accessible route to opportunity.
Key achievements so far include:
- A successful pilot traineeship, supporting young people with barriers to employment into training, apprenticeships and work.
- The establishment of a virtual brokerage service, matching candidates to opportunities through monthly contractor–provider collaboration.
- A successful pilot with Greater Manchester Green Economy Team on solar power, resulting in five locally‑based construction businesses entering the Solar PV market.
- Securing the first financial contributions to help sustainably fund the Hub.
- Embedding the Hub into Stockport Council’s procurement and Planning Employment and Skills Agreements, ensuring major developments provide direct jobs and training opportunities through the Hub.
The next phase of the Hub will see it guided by an expert steering group, bringing together senior leaders from the Council, contractor Willmott Dixon, Trafford College Group, charity Sector3 and construction training provider CITB.
Focused around four key workstreams, the Hub will provide: 1) a brokerage service that matches people looking to build a career in the sector with skills and employment opportunities being created locally, facilitating upskilling and enabling contractors to connect with a local talent pool. The holistic service will provide long-term, integrated pathways for residents as schemes and skill programmes develop.
2) Construction traineeships and supported apprenticeships, focused on helping people with barriers to employment and education into pathways to good jobs in the industry.
3) Excellence in construction education, connecting contractors with educators to deliver state‑of‑the‑art training that equips young people for successful, future‑focused careers in the industry.
4) Green technology and sustainability-led growth, positioning Stockport as a leader in sustainable construction and supporting local businesses to assess supply-chain opportunities in low-carbon construction.
The Hub places inclusion at its core, directly addressing inequalities in the construction sector and supporting under‑represented groups, including women, disabled people, LGBTQ+ residents and young people with experience of care or the youth justice system.
Stockport Council Leader, Cllr Mark Roberts, said: “The launch of the One Stockport Construction Hub marks a major milestone in our nationally leading town centre regeneration programme.
“For the first time, contractors have a single point of contact in the borough, and residents have a clear and inclusive route into the thousands of opportunities being created. It is ensuring the town’s construction boom delivers lasting benefits for Stockport’s people, communities and businesses.”
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport Council cabinet member for economy, skills and regeneration, said: “Stockport has always been great at creating opportunities for young people, but with our ambitious regeneration plans, we know we can go further.
“We’re harnessing the game-changing building work happening on our doorstep, opening doors to young people who need that extra support to get to where they want to go, those facing barriers to employment and under-represented groups. This isn’t just another skills hub; it is directly linked to funded schemes and investment with a direct entry point into the industry.
“The Hub will revolutionise the way contractors connect with a local talent pool and access to education programmes, delivering a forward-thinking, inclusive and meaningful approach to building Stockport’s bright future.”
