The free programme is designed to help smaller businesses utilise newer technologies to boost their efficiency
The Solving Tech for Small Builders programme is being ran by Construction Coach, in partnership with CITB, North London Loft Rooms, and Limes Consulting and RLB Digital.
The programme launches on 8 April and lasts for three months.
Solving Tech for Small Builders is funded by the CITB impact fund
The programme is being launched as an attempt to tackle the challenges often faced by SME builders when integrating technology into their business. Issues can include short trial periods, lack of industry-specific support, and limited research times to decide on the best options.
The Solving Tech for Small Builders programme gives advice from an expert-led training team to choose, test, and implement the technologies that work best for them.
The programme will see a launch event on 8 April at the green and digital construction skills hub, The Flēot, in London. On 13 May 2025, a live tech solutions session will also be held. This will give a hands-on experience exploring digital tools for SME builders.
Weekly online training sessions will take place on Tuesdays at 9:30-11:00 AM until the programmes Wrap-Up session on 24 June 2025.
The information will be accessible afterwards
After the programme has finished, an online version of the course will be available from September 2025 so those who missed out originally can still have access.
Late last year, the Home Builders Federation published a report in which they stated that it is much more difficult to be an SME homebuilder now than it was five years ago.
At the time, Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the HBF, said: “SME home builders play a vital role in addressing the housing crisis, yet the mounting constraints on housing delivery in recent years have placed considerable strain on many small businesses.”
In October, NatWest showed that the construction industry, despite difficulties, is in a state of expansion, especially regarding SMEs. In September 2024, their SME tracker showed a 55.1 in the Business Activity Index. Any reading over 50.0 shows growth in that sector.
The growth tracker also showed that 2024 saw the strongest rise in new work since March 2022, with employment numbers rising, and positive expectations for 2025 as a whole.
At the time, Laura Capper, head of construction and manufacturing at NatWest, said: “September’s rise in construction activity among SMEs is a clear sign that demand is rebounding, driven by new contracts and a renewed willingness to invest after the election. While the sector is seeing growth, particularly in new housing projects, the pressure from rising material costs remains a concern. Managing these cost increases will be key for SMEs to sustain momentum in the months ahead, but the positive outlook and increasing workloads suggest the sector is on solid ground for continued expansion.”
