INDUSTRY COMMENT
Closing the skills gap starts earlier: why T-Levels matter for building controls
The performance gap in UK buildings is well documented. Less visible, but equally critical, is the skills gap behind it. President of the Building Controls Industry Association Jen Vickers explains the implications for the building controls sector
A
cross the built environment, the challenge of attracting and developing skilled professionals is increasingly becoming a limiting factor in delivering high-performing, energy-efficient and safe buildings. This is reflected in analysis from EngineeringUK, which indicates the UK needs around 173,000 new engineers and technicians each year to meet demand. For the building controls
sector, where engineering, digital systems and operational performance converge, this challenge is particularly pronounced. As buildings become more complex and expectations around performance, safety and sustainability continue to rise, so too does the demand for a workforce equipped with the right skills. Addressing this requires more than training alone. It requires a stronger, more visible and better-connected pipeline of future talent. This is where T-Levels are beginning to play an important role.
Aligning education with industry need
Developed with employer input and supported by the Department for Education, T-Levels are designed to provide a high-quality technical alternative to traditional academic routes. A defining feature is the inclusion of a minimum 45-day industry placement, ensuring students gain meaningful, real-world experience alongside their studies.
One of the key challenges the sector continues to face is visibility. While building energy management systems (BEMS) are central to how modern buildings operate efficiently and safely, awareness of careers in building controls has remained limited. At the BCIA, we are actively working to change that. T-Levels help to address this by introducing students to real building systems, digital technologies and engineering applications at an earlier stage. This early exposure improves understanding of the sector and supports more informed career decisions, while helping to position building controls more clearly within the wider engineering landscape.
Supporting employer engagement
The industry placement element of T-Levels provides a valuable opportunity for employers to engage directly with emerging talent.
At the BCIA, we actively support our members in engaging with T-Levels. Many of our members provide industry placements, work closely with local education providers and contribute to course development, helping to ensure training reflects real-world requirements. This engagement delivers clear benefits. Students gain hands-on experience in real environments, while employers gain access to individuals developing relevant technical skills and an understanding of workplace expectations. Importantly, this approach helps bridge the gap that has historically existed between education and industry. Embedding employer involvement within training is essential if learning is to reflect real-world requirements and deliver work-ready individuals.
Strengthening the skills pipeline
The BEMS Controls Engineer Apprenticeship scheme remains a cornerstone of workforce development within the sector, with around 280 apprentices currently on programme. T-Levels complement this by strengthening the entry point into these pathways, introducing individuals to the sector earlier and building foundational knowledge.
A sector investing in its future
Skills shortages across engineering and technical disciplines are well documented, with organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry reporting that around 60% of UK businesses are experiencing skills gaps. This highlights the scale of the challenge facing industry. The building controls sector is taking an active role in addressing this challenge. A number of BCIA member companies, including Crown House Technologies, InTandem Systems and Schneider Electric, are already supporting T-Level placements, providing students with valuable exposure to real projects and working environments. Ultimately, the performance of our buildings will depend on the capability of the people behind them and by supporting T-Levels and strengthening pathways into the sector, the industry is building a more resilient, skilled and future-ready workforce. Because if the sector is to meet the demands of an increasingly complex, digital and
performance-driven built environment, developing that capability must start earlier, and it must start now.
Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk Smiths EP hp BSEE
May26.indd 1 2/4/26 12:59 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER MAY 2026 7
FOR MORE INFORMATION
01245 324900 |
sales@smithsep.co.uk SmithsEP.co.uk | @SmithsEP_UK | #ThinkSmiths Caspian® Fan
Convectors - providing heating comfort
A single heating solution for a variety of applications - high, low or ceiling mounted installation
- Compatible with most types of wet central heating systems, functioning equally efficiently with conventional boilers, biomass technology or heat pumps
- EC only fans for improved efficiency - Free 5 year warranty - Manufactured in the UK
- Available with Smart control to further improve efficiency and flexibility, with remote monitoring and control via an app
- New 750mm version available
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38
