In June 2025, the UK Government formed Skills England, a new executive agency aimed at tackling skills shortages up and down the country. Now, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) has highlighted specific skills challenges facing the transport sector.

CIHT is a charity and learned society representing workers in transport and engineering. In November 2025, representatives of the organisation met up with Skills England to discuss issues raised by the CIHT Employment Trends Survey 2025.

The study surveyed almost 1,000 participants across the highways and transport professions. So, what were the survey’s findings, and what do they say about the current state of the industry?

A pivotal sector currently at risk of floundering

During November, CIHT chief executive Sue Percy CBE and public affairs manager Liberty Hibbard reached out to Skills England’s deputy director of analysis and insight, Frank Bowley.

CIHT is just one of the partners Skills England works with to help trainees develop the skills they need to take on better jobs. In this way, the agency — sponsored by the UK Government’s Department for Education — strives to open up new job opportunities and spur economic growth.

Sue Percy noted: “The transport sector is the glue that links housing, energy and the wider economy together, but without the right skills, we risk undermining that mission. We look forward to working closely with Skills England to turn our survey insight into action.”

Where has CIHT identified room for improvement in the transport sector?

Those who are directly involved in the sector will recognise the importance of being able to efficiently assemble the qualified workforce needed for projects.

While there remains a pool of staff available for such initiatives, it is currently static. This will inevitably leave organisations competing more fiercely to secure the human resources required for their respective schemes. 

Of course, it is also crucial to ensure existing staff continue to refine their skills. Our transport consultants at Transport Planning Associates (TPA) can help provide professionals with the up-to-date insights they require, and CIHT does recommend a more structured programme for staff development.

The report also expresses concern about the current trajectory of the Net Zero transition. The transport sector can help correct this course by turning ambition into action, CIHT has said. 

The industry has also been urged to take advantage of AI tools, in addition to bolstering its EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) efforts, as can be crucial for enabling organisations to effectively harness diversity of thought and experience.

How has Skills England responded to CIHT’s findings?

CIHT has recommended that non-degree routes into the sector, such as apprenticeships, are strengthened. Skills England has acknowledged the limited number of highway-specific apprenticeships, and is set to continue its productive dialogue with CIHT.

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